Earth-air heat exchangers (EAHE) represent a promising option to reduce theheating/cooling load of buildings. Unlike traditional air conditioning systems, the EAHE employ a renewable source of energy and they can work using low electric power. Basically, EAHE employ underground ducts where the air is blown to exchange heat with the ground. Since the superficial layers of the Earth are warmer than outside air in winter and cooler than it in summer, the soil canbe used as a heat source or sink. Therefore, the air leaves the ducts at milder temperatures. Recent research has shown that the Brazilian south region, where prevails a subtropical climate, has a high potential for the use of EAHE. However, such references are still very limited. Hence, this work aims to analyze the thermal performance of EAHE considering the city of Pelotas, located in the south Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. As a case study, we used in situ data, covering thesoil geotechnical profiles from a site in the city, which were obtained by a standard penetration test (SPT). To make the computer simulations, we used an analytical model, which was previously tested and validated. The results point out good prospects for the installation of these devices in the city of Pelotas, taking advantage of its geological potential

Os trocadores de calor solo-ar (TCSA) representam uma opção promissora para reduzir a carga de aquecimento/resfriamento das edificações. Basicamente, os TCSA utilizam dutos subterrâneos, onde o ar circula a fim de trocar calor com o solo. O modelo analítico proposto neste trabalho considera, dentre outros fatores, a temperatura do ar na entrada do duto, no solo e na saída do sistema. Assim, este trabalho abordará duas formas de determinar a temperatura do ar de entrada, uma fornecida pela Estação Agroclimatológica de Pelotas e a outra baseada nos dados de reanálise ERA-Interim. As comparações têm demonstrado eficiência entre ambas as maneiras.

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