Geothermal HVAC

Unlike traditional HVAC systems that rely on natural gas, fuel oil propane or electricity, geothermal provides two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth below the surface is fairly constant throughout the year.

Geothermal systems are made up of a heatpump, underground loops, and a distribution system. Learn more about this energy-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 even truncated in the backyard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The piping is filled with a water-based fluid and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat based on the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant four to six feet below the surface, which makes it an ideal energy source for a geothermal system.

When the system is in heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs the Earth’s heat and then transfers it to the heat pump within your home. The fluid is then pushed into the loop, which then starts to circulate. In cooling mode, the system uses the opposite method to eliminate the heat that is left and return it back to the loop, where it begins a new cycle.

In a closed loop system, the pipes are filled with a water-based solution and placed in the ground. The solution is safe and non-toxic to the environment and doesn’t pollute the water supply of underground. The system can also make use of the pond or lake as a source of heat transfer fluid, which is even more eco-friendly.

Depending on the space available, closed and open systems may be installed horizontally or vertically. Vertical systems require fewer trenches than horizontal systems and is less disruptive to your landscaping. It is often used in areas where soil depths are shallow or in areas where existing landscaping must be preserved.

It is essential to choose a reliable installer regardless of the kind of system. It is important to have a reliable and well-designed system, since geothermal systems consume a lot of energy. A properly installed system will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system, and can save your money on electricity costs in the long run. It is essential to flush the system on a regular basis to get rid of any mineral deposits that could reduce the flow and effectiveness 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 the energy derived from the Earth that is used to cool and heat buildings. It can be harnessed using underground loops that absorb thermal energy and transfer it into your home. Vertical ground loops are the most common geothermal system. This type of system is commonly utilized in commercial and residential applications. The system utilizes the heat pump to transfer heat from the earth into your home or office. In the summer, it reverses to provide cooling.

The thermal energy transferred from the ground to your house is stored in a series of buried pipes. These pipes are an essential element of any geo-thermal hvac system. The tubes are made from high-density Polyethylene and circulate water and propylene glycol, which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the water or soil remains fairly constant at only a few feet beneath the surface. This allows the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to work more efficiently than other heating systems, like gas furnaces or boilers.

These loops can be installed in a horizontal trench, or put into boreholes drilled to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are usually used for larger homes with lots of land available and vertical boreholes are ideally suited for businesses or homes that have little space. The process of installing horizontal ground loops entails digging extensive trenches that can take a considerable amount of time and effort. The ground is also to be compacted to ensure that the loops remain connected to the soil.

On the other hand the vertical loop system can be set up quicker and with less effort than a horizontal loop field. The technician digging holes that are 4 inches in diameter and approximately 20 feet apart, and installs the piping in order to create an enclosed loop. The number of holes required will depend on your building’s size and energy requirements.

To ensure that your geothermal heating and cooling system operating at peak performance, it is important to maintain the loop fields. This means cleaning the loop fields as well as performing periodic bacteriological tests.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pump transfers energy between your home, the ground, or a nearby body water instead of the air outside. The reason is that the temperatures of the ground and water is generally constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. The size and layout of your property will determine the type of loop you employ. The type of loop you choose and the method of installation 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 can house up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to an amanifold that is the central control unit of geothermal heat pumps. The manifold sends heated or cooled water to your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.

Initially, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches, which required a larger expanse of land to surround them. As technology advanced it was discovered that layering a single pipe back and forth varying depths in shorter trenches could decrease the amount of space needed and also costs without losing performance. This was the beginning of the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.

A vertical ground loop system is an excellent alternative to a horizontal geothermal heat pump system for situations in which there is not enough land available. It is also an option for homes in urban areas, where the topsoil is a bit thin and there is little if any space for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system can also be the best solution for properties that are located in an earthquake-prone area and cannot support a horizontal system.

If you have plenty of water available, ponds or lakes can be a great option for your home. This kind of system is similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump however instead of using the earth for cooling and heating, the water is used. It’s important to remember that a geothermal system using lakes or ponds will not function in the event of a power failure. Installing a backup generator can supply electricity during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods. But when switching to geothermal homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs against the total energy savings. Many factors are involved such as the soil’s composition and climate of the area. But one of the biggest choices is whether to put in ground loops or install an external hot water tank. The latter is cheaper, but it won’t provide the same efficiency.

A desuperheater is a device that transfers heat from a geothermal heating system to your hot water tank. It is designed to function in winter, when the cooling cycle of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater eliminates this waste heat and uses it to boost the efficiency of your home’s heating. It also reduces your energy consumption by utilizing existing sources.

The ideal design for a desuperheater is determined by a variety of physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These factors include the temperature of the spray water and the angle of the injection, and the shape of the nozzle. These are all elements that influence the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

During the summer months, desuperheaters can save up to 80 percent more in a heating dominated climate than traditional hot water heaters. The desuperheater transforms the energy taken from the house during cooling into heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can supply domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months of the year at a fraction the cost of alternative energy sources.

The desuperheater is also useful in winter, when the geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device adds the extra heat produced by the cooling system to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the domestic hot water tank to utilize this free energy, and increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater may also be used to reduce the time that geothermal systems are in operation in a heating dominated climate.