Geothermal HVAC
In contrast to traditional HVAC systems that rely on fuel oil, natural gas propane, electricity or fuel oil, geothermal provides two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface are fairly constant throughout the year.
A geothermal system consists of an underground heat pump, loops and a distribution system (such as air ducts). Find out more about the various parts that make up this energy-efficient system.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is the most important element to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and longevity. It is made up of pipes that are either trenched or drilled in the backyard and connected to the heat pump in your home. The piping is then filled with a water-based solution that circulates to absorb or disperse heat based on the needs of your home. 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 up, the heat transfer liquid absorbs heat from the earth. It then carries that heat to the heating pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed into the loop, where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, it uses the opposite process to remove the heat that is not needed. It returns it to the loop to start the next cycle.
In a closed-loop system, the piping is filled with a solution based on water and buried underground. The solution is safe for the environment. It doesn’t pollute underground water supplies. The system can utilize a pond, lake or other body of water to provide heat transfer fluid. This is even more green.
Based on the space available depending on the space available, open and closed systems may be installed either vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require less trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is ideal for areas where soil depths are low or where existing landscaping needs to be preserved.
Regardless of the type of ground loop system, it is crucial to select an experienced installer. Geothermal systems require a lot of energy to operate and it is essential to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A well-designed installation will ensure the durability of your system, and will help you save energy costs in the long-term. It is also essential to have the system flushed regularly to remove any mineral buildup, which can reduce the flow of the 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 derived from the Earth that is utilized to heat and cool buildings. This energy is harnessed by using underground loops which absorb the thermal energy and transfer it to the building. Vertical ground loops are the most commonly used geothermal system. This kind of system is typically employed in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system absorbs the heat energy from the ground and transfers it to your office or home. In the summer, it operates in reverse to provide cooling.
The heat energy that is transferred from the ground to your home is stored in a network of buried pipes. These pipes are an essential element of any geo thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of Polyethylene with high density and circulate water as well as propylene glycol which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water stays relatively constant for just a few feet below the surface. The closed loop geothermal system is more efficient than other heating methods, like gas boilers or furnaces.
These loops can be installed in a horizontal trench or inserted into boreholes that are made to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are generally utilized for larger properties that have plenty of land, while vertical boreholes are ideally suited for homes or businesses that have small spaces. The process of installing a horizontal ground loop involves digging a long trench that may require considerable time and effort. In addition the ground has to be compacted to ensure that the loops are able to hold a solid hold on the soil.
A vertical loop system is much more straightforward to install than a horizontal field. The technician makes holes of 4 inches in diameter spaced 20 feet apart. Then, he installs the pipe to form a closed circuit. The number of holes required will depend on the size of your structure and the energy demands.
To ensure that your geothermal heating and cooling system at peak performance It is essential to properly maintain the loop fields. This includes cleaning up debris and conducting regular bacteriological testing.
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 temperature of the ground and water are generally constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. There are four primary types of geothermal heating loops, and the one you choose to use depends on the size of your property as well as its layout. The type of loop used and the method of installation employed determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.
Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems use a series of pipes buried horizontally in trenches that range from four to six feet deep. The trenches can hold up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold which is the central control unit. The manifold then delivers heated and cooled water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.
Initially, these pipes were buried in vertical trenches that required more land space to surround the pipes. As technology advanced and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a single pipe back and forth at various depths in trenches that were smaller could help reduce the space required and cost without sacrificing performance. This led to the creation of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.
A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to a horizontal geothermal heat pump system in situations where there isn’t enough land available. It’s also a great 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 could be the ideal solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone area and cannot support the horizontal loops.
A geothermal pond or lake pump is the ideal option for your home when you have access to an ample amount of water. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or a vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump however, instead of using the earth to heat and cool it uses water to heat and cool. Remember that the geothermal loop system that is based on the pond or lake is not functional in the event of power failure. A backup generator must be installed to provide an electric source during this time.
Desuperheater
Geothermal heating is a reliable alternative to conventional methods. But when it comes to making the switch homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs against total savings on energy. There are a variety of factors that come into play including the local climate and soil makeup. One of the most important choices is whether or not to bury ground loops, or install an external tank for hot water. The latter option is less expensive, however it may not provide the same efficiency.
A desuperheater is a device that transfers heat from geothermal heating systems to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to work during winter, when the cooling process of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater utilizes this heat to improve the efficiency of heating in your home. It also reduces the energy use by utilizing pre-existing resources.
The best design of a desuperheater dependent on several physical geometric, thermal, and factors. These include the angle of injection, the temperature of the water spray, and the nozzle’s design. These are all important factors that affect the operation and performance of the desuperheater.
In a climate that is dominated by heating, a desuperheater can save you as much as 80% more than a traditional water heater in the summer. This is because the desuperheater uses the energy that is emitted from the house during the cooling process and converts it into useful heat for the hot water generator. The geothermal system can provide domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months a year, at a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.
The desuperheater also helps during winter, when geothermal systems are running at its lowest capacity. The device removes the extra heat produced by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to use this free energy and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. Desuperheaters are also an excellent way to cut down on the time that a geothermal heating system is being used when it’s in a climate with a high heating demand.