Geothermal HVAC

In contrast to traditional HVAC systems that operate on fuel oil, natural gas 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 of a heatpump, underground loops and an distribution system. Find out more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the main element to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and longevity. It consists of pipes that are placed in the backyard and connected to the heat pump in your home. The pipes are then filled with a water-based solution that circulates to absorb or disperse heat according to your home’s needs. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below surface level, which makes it an ideal energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is heating, the liquid used to transfer heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transmits the heat to the heat pump in your home. The fluid is then pushed back into the loop where it begins circulating again. In cooling mode, the system uses the opposite process to eliminate the excess heat and return it back to the loop where it starts the next cycle.

In a closed loop system the pipe is filled with a water-based product and is buried in the ground. The solution is non-toxic and safe for the environment. It is not a pollutant to the water supply in underground. The system can use the pond, lake or other body of water as a source of heat transfer fluid. This is even more environmentally friendly.

Depending on the space available depending on the space available, open and closed systems can be set up horizontally or vertically. Vertical systems require less trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is used in areas where soil depths are low or where existing landscaping needs to be preserved.

It is crucial to choose an experienced installer regardless of the type of system. It is important to have an efficient and well-designed system as geothermal systems consume a lot of energy. A properly installed system will ensure the durability of your system and help you save energy costs over the long term. It is also critical to flush the system regularly to remove any mineral buildup. This can hinder the flow of heat transfer fluid and reduce system efficiency. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to determine the best system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy derived from the Earth that is used to heat and cool buildings. It is harnessed using a series of underground loops which absorb the thermal energy and then transfer it to your building. Vertical ground loops are the most commonly used geothermal system. This kind of geothermal system is used most often in commercial and residential settings. The system utilizes an energy pump to transfer thermal energy from the earth into your home or office. In summer, it operates in reverse to provide cooling.

The thermal energy that is transferred from the ground to your house is stored in a series of underground pipes. These pipes are an essential component of any geo-thermal HVAC system. The pipes are made of high-density polyethylene and circulate an emulsion of propylene glycol and water which is a food grade antifreeze through the system. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant for a few feet below the surface. This allows the closed loop geothermal heat pump to work more efficiently than other heating systems, such as gas furnaces and boilers.

The loops can be placed in a trench horizontally or inserted in boreholes that are drilled from to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are best suited for large homes with lots of land, whereas vertical boreholes work well for businesses and homes with small spaces. The installation process for horizontal ground loops involves digging large trenches that take a considerable amount of time and effort. The ground is also to be compacted to ensure that the loops remain attached to the soil.

A vertical loop system is much easier to install than a horizontal field. The technician drills holes that are 4 inches in diameter spaced 20 feet apart. He then connects the pipe to create a closed circuit. The number of holes needed will depend on the size of your structure and the energy requirements.

It is essential to maintain the loop fields in order to keep your geothermal system functioning at its top efficiency. This includes cleaning up debris and conducting periodic tests for bacteriological issues.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your house and the ground or a nearby body of water, rather than taking energy from the outside air. This is due to the fact that the temperatures of water and ground remain relatively stable, in contrast to the fluctuating outdoor air temperature. The dimensions and layout of your property will determine which loop to employ. The type of loop you choose and the installation method used determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal systems employ series of horizontal pipes, which are placed in trenches that are between four and six feet in depth. The trenches are designed to hold three to four pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold, which is the central control unit. The manifold is a conduit for heated or cooled water into your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.

Originally these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches, which required more land area to cover the pipes. As technology improved it was realized that layering a single pipe back and forth at different depths within shorter trenches decreased costs and space requirements without necessarily sacrificing performance. This led to the development of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

A vertical ground loop system can be a great alternative to a horizontal geothermal heat pump system in cases where there is not enough land area available. It can also be an option for homes located in urban areas where topsoil is thin and there isn’t any room for horizontal loops. If your property is in an earthquake-prone zone and is not able to support a horizontal loop system, the vertical loop may be the best option.

If you have lots of water available, ponds or lakes can be a great alternative for your home. This kind of system functions the same as vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump except the water is used to heat and cooling, instead of the earth. Remember that a geothermal loop system using lakes or ponds will not function in the event of a power failure. Installing a backup generator will provide power during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a very efficient alternative to traditional methods. However, when making the switch, homeowners must balance upfront costs against total savings on energy. There are a variety of factors that come into play such as the local climate and soil’s composition. One of the most important choices is whether or not to put in ground loops, or install an external tank to store hot water. The latter option may be cheaper, but it won’t provide as much efficiency.

A desuperheater is an equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal system to your hot water tank in your home. It is designed to operate during winter, when the cooling cycle of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater removes this waste heat and utilizes it to improve the efficiency of your heating system. It can also cut down on your energy usage by utilizing pre-existing resources.

The optimal design of a desuperheater is dependent on several physical geometric, thermal, and variables. These variables include the injection angle, temperature of the water spray, and the nozzle’s design. These are all aspects that can affect the performance and efficiency of the desuperheater.

In a climate dominated by heating, a desuperheater will save you as much as 20% more than an ordinary water heater during the summer. The desuperheater transforms the energy removed from the house during cooling into heat for the hot-water generator. This allows the geothermal system to make domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months of the year at a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also able to help during winter, when geothermal systems are operating at its lowest capacity. The device removes the extra heat generated by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to utilize this free energy and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is also an excellent way to cut down on the time that geothermal heating systems are in use when it’s in a place that has a high demand for heating.