Geothermal HVAC

In contrast to traditional HVAC systems that run on natural gas, fuel oil propane or electricity, geothermal provides two-in-one heating and cooling. The temperatures of the earth below the surface remain relatively consistent year-round.

A geothermal system is comprised of an underground heat pump, loops and a distribution network (such as air ducts). Learn more about the various parts that make up this energy-efficient system:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the key to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and longevity. It is made up of pipes that can be drilled or trenched in the backyard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The piping is filled with a water-based solution and circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the requirements of your home. The ground’s temperature is relatively constant four to six feet below the surface, making it an ideal energy source for a geothermal system.

When the system is heating, the liquid used to transfer heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transmits that heat to the heating pump inside your home. The fluid is then transferred to the loop where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, it utilizes the opposite method to eliminate the heat that is not needed. It then returns to the loop to begin another cycle.

In a closed-loop system, the piping will be filled with a solution made of water and buried underground. The solution is safe and non-toxic for the environment. It doesn’t pollute underground water supplies. The system can utilize lakes, ponds or any other body of water to provide heat transfer fluid. This is also environmentally friendly.

Both closed and open systems can be vertical or horizontal, depending on the space you require. Vertical systems require less trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is ideal for areas in which soil depths are low or in areas where existing landscaping must be maintained.

It is important to select an experienced installer, regardless of the type of system. It is important to have a reliable and well-designed system, as geothermal systems consume a lot of energy. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system, and will save you money on electricity bills in the long term. It is also crucial to flush the system frequently to eliminate any mineral buildup that could hinder the flow of heat transfer fluid and impede the efficiency of the system. 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 cool and heat buildings. It is a source of energy that can be harnessed using underground loops which absorb thermal energy and then transfer it into your building. Vertical ground loops are the most common geothermal system. This kind of system is commonly utilized in commercial and residential applications. This system makes use of a heat pump to transfer heat from the earth to your home or office. In summer, it reverses to provide cooling.

The thermal energy transferred from the ground to your building is stored in a set of buried pipes. These pipes are a crucial element in any geo thermal HVAC system. The tubes are made of high-density polyethylene. They move an emulsion of propylene glycol and water, which is a food-grade antifreeze, throughout the system. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant at just a few feet below 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 placed in a horizontal trench, or put into boreholes drilled to a depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are usually used for larger properties with lots of land available, while vertical boreholes are ideal 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 needs to be compacted to ensure that the loops have a strong grip on the soil.

A vertical loop system is much simpler to set up than a horizontal field. The technician digging holes that are 4 inches in diameter and approximately 20 feet apart, then installs the piping to form an enclosed loop. The number of holes needed will depend on the dimensions of your building as well as the energy demands.

It is crucial to maintain the loop fields to keep your geothermal system functioning at its top efficiency. This means removing any debris and conducting periodic bacteriological testing.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and ground or the nearby body of water, rather than being able to draw energy from the air outside. The reason for this is that the temperatures of the ground and the water is relatively constant, unlike outdoor air temperatures which fluctuate. There are four major kinds of geothermal heating loops, and which one you choose to use depends on your property size and layout. The type of loop used and the installation method determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal system.

Horizontal geothermal systems employ series of horizontal pipes that are that are buried in trenches ranging from four and six feet deep. The trenches are constructed to accommodate three to four pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold which is the central control unit. The manifold is then able to send chilled and heated water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.

Initially the pipes were installed in vertical trenches which required a larger space to surround the pipes. As technology developed, it was discovered that layering a longer single pipe back-and-forth in varying depths within shorter trenches decreased the space required and cost, without losing performance. This is the reason for the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.

In situations where there’s not enough land available, a vertical loop system can be an ideal alternative. It is also an option for homes located in urban areas in which the topsoil is scarce and there is little if any room for horizontal loops. If your property is located in an earthquake-prone zone and is unable to support a horizontal loop system, a vertical loop system may be the best option.

A geothermal pond or lake pump can be the ideal option for your home if you have access to an ample amount of water. This kind of system operates exactly like a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heat pump, however, the water is used to heat and cooling, not the earth. Keep in mind that a geothermal loop system using the pond or lake will not function in the event of power failure. A backup generator should be installed to supply a source of electricity during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is a reliable alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to switching homeowners must balance the initial costs with the total energy savings. There are a variety of aspects to consider, including the local climate and soil’s composition. One of the most important choices is whether or not to bury ground loops, or install an external tank for hot water. The latter is less expensive, but might not offer the same level of efficiency.

A desuperheater is an equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal system to your hot water tank at home. It is designed to operate in winter when the cooling cycle of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater utilizes this wasted heat to increase the efficiency of heating in your home. It helps reduce your energy consumption by using resources already in use.

The ideal design of a desuperheater is dependent on several physical geometric, thermal, and factors. These factors include the spray temperature as well as the angle of injection, as well as the design of the nozzle. These are all important elements that impact the desuperheater’s operation and performance.

In the summer, a desuperheater can save up to 80 percent in a climate that is dominated by heating than a conventional hot water heater. The desuperheater converts the energy removed from the home during the cooling process into heat for the hot water generator. This enables the geothermal system to create domestic hot water for 3-5 months of the year at only a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater also helps in the winter when a geothermal system is operating at its smallest capacity. The device removes the extra heat produced by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This enables the domestic hot water tank to use this free energy, and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater may also be used to decrease the time that a geothermal system is active in a heating dominated climate.