Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a two-in-one system that can provide both cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth below the surface is fairly constant throughout the year.

Geothermal systems consist up of a heatpump underground loops and the distribution system. Learn more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is vital to the efficiency and durability of a geothermal heating and cooling 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 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 the surface level, which makes it a great energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is heating up, the liquid that transfers heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transmits that heat to the heat pump in your home. The fluid is then transferred to the loop which then starts to circulate. In cooling mode, the system uses the opposite process to eliminate the heat surplus and return it back to the loop where it starts a new cycle.

In a closed-loop system, the piping will be filled with a solution made of water and buried underground. The solution is safe for the environment. It is not a pollutant to underground water sources. The system can also utilize a pond or lake to provide heat transfer fluid, which is even more environmentally friendly.

Open and closed systems can be vertical or horizontal depending on your space requirements. The vertical system requires fewer trenches than a horizontal system and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is often employed in areas with low soil depths or in areas where existing landscaping needs to be preserved.

It is essential to choose a reliable installer, regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require large amounts of energy to run and it is vital to have a well-designed and efficient system in place. A quality installation ensures the longevity of your geothermal system and will save you money on electric bills in the long run. It is also critical to flush the system frequently to eliminate any mineral buildup that could hinder the flow of heat transfer fluid and reduce the efficiency of the system. A GeoDoctor expert can help you select the best system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy that comes from the Earth that is utilized to heat and cool buildings. It is harnessed using a series of underground loops that absorb the thermal energy and transmit it to the building. Vertical ground loops are the most common geothermal system. This kind of geothermal system is typically used in commercial and residential settings. The heat pump in this system captures the thermal energy from the ground and then transfers it to 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 home. These pipes are a crucial part of any geo-thermal hvac system. The tubes are made from Polyethylene with high density and circulate water and propylene glycol which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of soil or water remains almost constant just a few feet beneath the surface. This allows the closed loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems, such as gas furnaces and boilers.

These loops can be installed in a horizontal trench, or placed into boreholes that are drilled to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are typically used for larger homes with a lot of available land, while vertical boreholes are best suited for homes or businesses with little space. The installation process for horizontal ground loops involves digging a long trench that may take a considerable amount of time and effort. The ground is also to be compacted in order to ensure that the loops are firmly attached to the soil.

On the other the other hand, a vertical loop system can be constructed much more quickly and 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 form an enclosed circuit. The number of holes you need will depend on the size of your structure and the energy demands.

To keep your geothermal cooling and heating system at peak performance It is essential to properly maintain the loop fields. This means cleaning the loop fields and conducting periodic bacteriological tests.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and ground or a nearby body of water, and not taking energy from the outside air. This is due to the fact that ground and water temperatures remain relatively stable, unlike the fluctuating outdoor air temperature. There are four main types of geothermal heating loops and which one you choose to use depends on the size of your property as well as its layout. The type of loop and the method of installation employed determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.

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

Originally, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches that required more land area to encase the pipes. As technology advanced, it was found that layering a single longer pipe back and forth varying depths in shorter trenches could reduce the amount of space needed and also costs 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 a horizontal geothermal heat pump system for situations in which there is not enough land available. It’s also a good alternative for homes situated in urban areas, where the topsoil is thin, and there is not much space for horizontal loops. Vertical loops can also be the best solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone zone and is not able to support a horizontal system.

A geothermal pond or lake pump is the best option for your home when you have access to an abundance of water. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or a vertical ground loop geothermal heating system however, instead of using the earth for cooling and heating the water is used. Be aware that a geothermal loop system that utilizes the pond or lake will not function in the event of power failure. Installing a backup generator can provide electricity during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is a reliable alternative to conventional methods. When it comes time to switch homeowners must balance upfront costs with total savings on energy. Many factors are involved, including the soil composition and climate of the area. But one of the biggest choices is whether to put in ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter option is less expensive, but it won’t provide the same efficiency.

A desuperheater is a piece of equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal system to your hot water tank at home. It is designed to function in the winter when the cooling process of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater eliminates this waste heat and uses it to increase your home’s heating performance. It helps reduce your energy consumption by using pre-existing resources.

The ideal design for desuperheaters is determined by several physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These variables include the angle of injection, the temperature of the water spray, and the nozzle’s design. These are all important elements that impact the desuperheater’s operation and performance.

In the summer months, desuperheaters can save up to 80 percent in a climate with a high degree of heating than a conventional hot water heater. The desuperheater transforms the energy removed from the home through cooling into heat for the hot-water generator. This enables the geothermal system to make domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months of the year at less than the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater can also be useful in winter months, when a geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device adds the extra heat generated by the cooling system to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to use the energy that is free and boosts the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater can even be used to decrease the length of time the geothermal system is in operation in a heating dominated climate.