Geothermal HVAC

In contrast to traditional HVAC systems that rely on natural gas, fuel oil propane, electricity or fuel oil, geothermal provides two-in-one heating and cooling. The temperatures of the earth below the surface are relatively consistent year-round.

A geothermal system is made up of a heatpump underground loops, and a distribution system. Learn more about this efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is crucial to the durability and efficiency of geothermal cooling and heating system. It is made up of pipes that can be drilled or trenched in the yard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The pipes will be filled with a water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground is relatively constant between four and six feet below surface level, which makes it a great energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is heating, the liquid used to transfer heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transfers the heat to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then transferred to the loop where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, it employs the opposite method to eliminate the heat that is not needed. It then returns it to the loop to begin another cycle.

In a closed loop system, the piping is filled with a solution made of water and then buried beneath. The solution is safe and non-toxic to the environment, and doesn’t pollute the water supply of underground. The system can be used to use a pond, lake or other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is also eco-friendly.

Based on the space available, closed and open systems may be installed horizontally or vertically. The vertical system requires fewer trenches than a horizontal system and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is commonly utilized in areas with shallow soil depths or where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.

It is important to select an experienced installer regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require large amounts of energy to run and it is vital to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A well-designed installation will ensure the long-term viability of your system and help you save energy costs in the long run. It is important to flush the system regularly to eliminate any minerals that could reduce the flow and efficiency of the liquid used to transfer heat. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to select the best system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is derived from the Earth and is utilized to cool or heat buildings. It is a source of energy that can be harnessed through underground loops which absorb thermal energy and then transfer it to your building. Vertical ground loops are the most commonly used geothermal system. This kind of system is commonly used in residential and commercial applications. The system utilizes a heat pump to transfer energy from the earth into your home or office. In the summer it reverses to provide cooling.

The pipes that are buried store thermal energy that is transferred from the earth to your building. These pipes are an essential component of any geo-thermal HVAC system. The tubes are made from high-density Polyethylene, and they circulate water as well as propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water stays relatively constant at just a few feet below the surface. This enables the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems such as gas furnaces and boilers.

The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench, or placed into boreholes that are made to a depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are best suited for large homes with lots of land, while vertical boreholes are ideal for homes and businesses with little space. The process of installing horizontal ground loops entails digging a long trench that may take a lot of time and effort. Additionally the ground has to be compacted to ensure that the loops have a firm grip on the soil.

A vertical loop is simpler to set up than a horizontal field. The technician makes holes that are 4 inches in diameter spaced 20 feet apart. Then, he installs the pipe to form a closed circuit. The number of holes you need will depend on the size of your structure and the energy demands.

To ensure that your geothermal heating and cooling system running at its peak it is crucial to properly maintain the loop fields. This means cleaning the loop fields and performing periodic testing for bacteriological issues.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home, the ground, or a nearby body water instead of the air outside. This is because temperatures in the ground and in the water remain relatively stable, unlike the fluctuating temperature of outdoor air. The dimensions and layout of your property will determine which loop to use. The type of loop used and the method of installation employed determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pumps utilize a series of pipes buried horizontally in trenches that are four to six feet deep. The trenches can house up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold, which is the central control unit. The manifold pumps heated or chilled water into your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.

Initially, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches which required a larger amount of land to cover them. As technology improved it was discovered that layering a single longer pipe back and forth at various depths in trenches that were smaller could reduce the space required and cost without the loss of performance. This was the beginning of the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.

In cases where there isn’t enough land, a vertical ground loop system can be a good alternative. It’s also a great option for homes located in urban areas, where the topsoil is thin and there isn’t much space for horizontal loops. If your property is located in an earthquake-prone zone and is not able to support an horizontal loop system, a vertical loop system could be the best choice.

A geothermal pond or lake pump is the best option for your home if you have access to an ample amount of water. This type of system works exactly like a vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump, but the water is used to heat and cooling, instead of the earth. It’s important to remember that a geothermal system using lakes or ponds is not functional in the event of a power failure. Installing a backup generator will provide electricity during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal cooling and heating is a highly efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to making the switch, homeowners have to balance the initial costs with the energy savings in the long run. There are many factors that come into play such as the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to bury ground loops or to use an external tank to store hot water. The latter is less expensive, but may not provide the same level of efficiency.

A desuperheater is a device that transfers heat from a geothermal heating system to your home hot water tank. It is designed to work in the winter months when the cooling process of the system generates excess heat. The desuperheater uses this waste heat to increase the heating performance of your home. It also reduces your energy consumption by utilizing pre-existing sources.

The optimum design for a desuperheater is determined by a variety of physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These include the angle of injection, the temperature of the water spray, and the nozzle design. These are all aspects that can affect the performance and efficiency of the desuperheater.

During the summer, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent in a heating dominated climate than traditional hot water heaters. This is due to the fact that the desuperheater utilizes the energy emitted by the home during the cooling process and converts it to useful heat for the hot water generator. This allows the geothermal system to make domestic hot water for 3-5 months of the year, at a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also able to help in winter when a geothermal system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device can add the additional heat produced by the cooling system to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to use this free energy and maximizes the system’s heating capacity. The desuperheater can even be used to reduce the amount of time the geothermal system is in operation in a climate that is dominated by heating.