Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a system that provides cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface stay pretty constant all year.

A geothermal system is made of a heatpump, underground loops, and an distribution system. Learn more about the different parts that make up this energy-efficient system.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the most important element to a geothermal system’s efficiency and longevity. It is made up of pipes that can be drilled or slit in the yard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The piping is filled with a water-based solution 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 a natural energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is in heating mode the heat transfer fluid absorbs the Earth’s heat and then transfers it to the heat pump in your house. The fluid is then pushed into the loop, which then starts to circulate. In cooling mode, the system employs the opposite method to eliminate the heat that is left and return it to the loop where it starts the next 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 sources. The system can be used to use a pond, lake or any other body of water to provide heat transfer fluid. This is also eco-friendly.

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

No matter what type of ground loop system you choose, it is important to choose a reliable 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 properly installed system will ensure the long-term viability of your system, and will help you save money on electricity over the long term. It is also critical to have the system flushed regularly to remove any mineral buildup, which can reduce the flow of heat transfer fluid and hinder system efficiency. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to select the right system for your house.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy originates from the Earth and is used to heat or cool buildings. The energy is harnessed using underground loops which absorb the thermal energy and transmit it to your building. Vertical ground loops are the most popular geothermal system. This type of geothermal system is used most often in residential and commercial applications. The system utilizes a heat pump to transfer heat from the earth to your home or office. In the summer it reverses to provide cooling.

The heat energy that is transferred from the ground to your building is stored in a network of underground 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 and propylene glycol which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water remains relatively constant for only a few feet beneath the surface. This enables the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to work more efficiently than other heating systems such as gas furnaces and boilers.

These loops can be placed in a horizontal trench, or placed into boreholes that are made to a depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are best suited for large properties with lots of land while vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses and homes with small spaces. The installation of a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches that can take a considerable amount of time and effort. In addition, the ground must be compacted so that the loops have a firm grip on the soil.

A vertical loop system is much more straightforward to install than a horizontal field. The technician drills holes of 4 inches in diameter spaced about 20 feet apart. Then, he installs the pipe to create a closed circuit. The number of holes required will depend on your building’s size and the energy requirements.

To keep your geothermal cooling and heating system at peak performance it is crucial to maintain the loop fields. This means cleaning the loop fields and performing periodic bacteriological tests.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pump transfers energy between your home, the ground or a nearby body of water instead of the air outside. The reason is that the temperatures of the ground and water is fairly constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures which fluctuate. The size and layout of your property will determine which loop to employ. The type of loop and the method of installation used determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.

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

Originally the piping systems were installed in vertical trenches, which required more land space to surround the pipes. As technology improved it was discovered that laying a single, longer pipe back and forth at various depths in trenches that were smaller could help reduce the amount of space needed and also costs without losing performance. This led to the invention of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

In cases where there isn’t enough land, a vertical ground loop system is an option. It can also be an option for homes in urban settings, where topsoil is thin and there isn’t any space for horizontal loops. If your home is in an earthquake-prone area and is unable to support a horizontal loop system, an alternative that is vertical may be the best option.

A geothermal pond or lake pump system can be the ideal option for your home when you have access to plenty of water. This type of system works similar to a vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pumps, except the water is used to heat and cooling instead of the earth. Keep in mind that a geothermal loop system using the pond or lake cannot function in the event of a power outage. Installing a backup generator can supply electricity during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a highly efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to making the switch homeowners must balance upfront costs with total energy savings. There are a myriad of factors that come into play, including the local climate and soil’s composition. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to bury ground loops, or install an external tank to store hot water. The latter is less expensive, but might not offer the same efficiency.

A desuperheater is an equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal system into your hot water tank in your home. It is designed to function during winter, when the cooling process of the system generates excess heat. The desuperheater uses this waste heat to boost the efficiency of heating in your home. It reduces your energy usage by using resources already in use.

The ideal design of a desuperheater dependent on several physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These include the spray water temperature, the angle of injection, and the shape of the nozzle. These are all crucial aspects that affect the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

In a climate dominated heating, a desuperheater could save you as much as 80percent more than an ordinary water heater during the summer. The desuperheater converts the energy taken from the house during cooling into heat for the hot water generator. This enables the geothermal system to produce domestic hot water for three months of the year at a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also able to help in winter when geothermal systems are 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 this energy free of charge and increase the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is a great way to reduce the amount of time that a geothermal heating system is being used when it’s in a climate that has a high demand for heating.