Geothermal HVAC

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

A geothermal system consists of a heat pump, underground loops and a distribution system (such as air ducts). Find out more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the most important element to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and longevity. It is comprised of pipes that are either trenched or drilled in the yard and connect to your home’s heat pump. The piping is 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 constant between four and six feet below surface level, making it a great energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is in heating mode the heat transfer fluid absorbs Earth’s heat and then carries it to the heat pump inside your house. The fluid is then pushed back to the loop, where it starts to circulate again. In cooling mode, it employs the opposite method to eliminate the excess heat. It then returns it to the loop to begin another cycle.

In a closed loop system, the pipe is filled with a water-based product and placed in the ground. The solution is safe for the environment. It doesn’t pollute underground water supplies. The system can be used to use lakes, ponds or other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is also environmentally friendly.

Both closed and open systems can be horizontal or vertical depending on the space you require. Vertical systems require less trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is often utilized in areas with shallow soil depths or where existing landscaping needs to be preserved.

It is important to select an experienced installer regardless of the kind of system. It is essential to have a well-functioning and well-designed system, as geothermal systems use a significant amount of energy. A well-designed installation will ensure the long-term viability of your system and allow you to save energy costs in the long-term. It is crucial to flush the system on a regular basis to eliminate any minerals which could affect the flow and effectiveness of the liquid used to transfer heat. A GeoDoctor expert can help you choose the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy originates from the Earth and is utilized to cool or heat buildings. It can be harnessed through underground loops that absorb thermal energy and then transfer it into your home. The most common type of geothermal system is called vertical ground loop. This kind of geothermal system is typically used in commercial and residential settings. The system utilizes an energy pump to transfer energy from the earth into your office or home. In the summer it reverses to provide cooling.

The pipes that are buried store the thermal energy that is transferred from the earth to your house. These pipes are a key element in any geo thermal hvac system. The pipes are made from high-density polyethylene and circulate an emulsion of water and propylene glycol which is a food grade antifreeze through the system. The temperature of the soil or water stays relatively constant, even just a few feet below the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system is more efficient than other heating methods like gas boilers and furnaces.

The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench or placed into boreholes that are made to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are typically utilized for larger properties that have a lot of available land, while vertical boreholes are best suited for businesses or homes with limited space. The process of installing horizontal ground loops entails digging large trenches that require considerable time and effort. The ground must also be compacted in order to ensure that the loops are securely connected to the soil.

On the other side, a vertical loop system can be set up much faster and more easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician drills holes of 4 inches in diameter spaced 20 feet apart. He then connects the pipe to create a closed circuit. The number of holes needed will be determined by your building’s size and energy requirements.

To keep your geothermal cooling and heating system operating at peak performance, it is important to properly maintain the loop fields. This includes removing debris and conducting periodic bacteriological testing.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and the ground or a nearby body of water, rather than from the outdoor air. The reason is that the temperature of the ground and the water is generally constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures that fluctuate. The dimensions and layout of your property will determine which loop to make use of. The type of loop that is used and the method used to install it determine the efficiency and effectiveness your geothermal system.

Horizontal geothermal systems use a series horizontal pipes buried in trenches between four and six feet in depth. The trenches are designed to hold three to four pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to the manifold, which is the central control unit of the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold then sends heated and cooled water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.

Initially these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches which required a larger area to cover the pipes. As technology advanced, it was found that layering a single pipe back and forth varying depths in shorter trenches could help reduce the space required and cost without losing performance. This is the reason for the “slinky” method of installing horizontal geothermal loops.

A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to horizontal geothermal heat pump system in cases where there isn’t enough land space available. It is also a good option for homes located in urban areas, where the topsoil is thin and there isn’t enough space for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system can be the ideal solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone zone and cannot be supported by a horizontal system.

If you have plenty of water available, ponds or lakes can be an excellent alternative for your home. This kind of system operates similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heat pump but the water is used to heat and cooling, not the earth. Remember that the geothermal loop system that is based on lakes or ponds is not functional in the event of a power failure. Installing a backup generator can provide power during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a very efficient alternative to traditional methods. When it comes to switching homeowners must balance the initial costs with the total energy savings. There are many factors to consider including the soil’s composition and local climate. One of the most important choices is whether to plant ground loops or install an external hot water tank. The latter is cheaper, but it may not provide as much efficiency.

A desuperheater transfers heat from a geothermal heating system to your home hot water tank. It is designed to function during winter, when the cooling process of the system generates excessive heat. The desuperheater takes this wasted heat and uses it to increase the efficiency of your home’s heating. It reduces your energy usage by using existing resources.

The optimal design of a desuperheater dependent on various physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These include the angle of injection, the temperature of the water spray, and the nozzle design. These are all elements that influence the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

During the summer, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent in a climate that is dominated by heating than traditional hot water heaters. The desuperheater transforms the energy taken from the house through cooling into heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can provide hot water to homes for 3 to 5 months per year for a fraction of the cost of alternative energy sources.

The desuperheater can also be useful in the winter, when a geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device removes the extra heat produced by the cooling system and adds it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the domestic hot water tank to use this energy for free and increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is an effective way to reduce the amount of time that geothermal heating systems are in use when it’s in a place that has a large demand for heating.