Geothermal HVAC

Unlike traditional HVAC systems that run on fuel oil, natural gas propane, electricity or fuel oil geothermal can provide two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth beneath the surface is relatively constant throughout the year.

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

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the key to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and longevity. It is made up of pipes that are either placed in the backyard, and then connected to your home’s heat pump. The piping will be filled with a water-based fluid and 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, which makes it a great energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is in heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs the Earth’s heat and then carries it to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed back into the loop where it begins circulating again. In cooling mode, it employs the reverse process to remove the heat surplus. It then returns it back to the loop in order to begin the next cycle.

In a closed-loop system the piping will be filled with a solution based on water and buried underground. The solution is safe and non-toxic to the environment, and it does not affect the water supply of underground. The system can also make use of lakes or ponds to provide heat transfer fluid, making it more environmentally friendly.

Based on the space available depending on the space available, open and closed systems can be installed vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require fewer trenches than a horizontal system and reduces disturbance to your landscaping. It is ideal for areas where soil depths are shallow or when existing landscaping needs to be maintained.

It is essential to choose 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 lot of energy. A well-designed installation will ensure the durability of your system and allow you to save money on electricity in the long run. It is essential to flush the system frequently to get rid of any mineral deposits which could affect the flow and effectiveness of the heat transfer liquid. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to choose the right 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 through underground loops that absorb thermal energy and transfer it into your building. The most popular type of geothermal system is known as vertical ground loop. This type of geothermal system is used most often in commercial and residential settings. This system makes use of the heat pump to transfer thermal energy from the earth to your office or home. In summer, it operates in reverse to provide cooling.

The pipes that are buried store thermal energy that flows from the earth to your house. These pipes are a crucial element in any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of high-density Polyethylene, and they circulate water and propylene glycol which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant at a few feet below the surface. This allows the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems, like gas furnaces or boilers.

The loops can be inserted into a trench horizontally or inserted in boreholes drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches work best for large estates with lots of land, vertical boreholes are suitable for businesses and homes with little space. The installation process for a horizontal ground loop involves digging a long trench that may take a lot of time and effort. Additionally, the ground must be compacted to ensure the loops are able to hold a solid hold on the soil.

On the other side the vertical loop system can be constructed much more quickly and easily than a horizontal loop field. The service technician digs holes that are 4 inches in diameter and approximately 20 feet apart, and installs the piping to form a closed loop. The number of holes needed will depend on the size of your structure and the energy needs.

To keep your geothermal cooling and heating system operating at peak performance it is crucial to maintain the loop fields. This means removing any debris and conducting periodic 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 temperatures of the ground and water are relatively constant, unlike outdoor air temperatures that fluctuate. There are four primary kinds of geothermal heating loops and the one you use will depend on the size of your property as well as its layout. The type of loop used and the installation method used determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems make use of a set of pipes that are buried horizontally in trenches that are four to six feet deep. The trenches can house up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to an amanifold that is the central control unit for the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold is then able to send heated and cooled water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.

Initially these pipes were installed in vertical trenches which required a larger area to encase the pipes. As technology advanced and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a single longer pipe back and forth at different depths in smaller trenches could reduce space requirements and costs without the loss of performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of installing horizontal geothermal loops.

A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to a horizontal geothermal heating system in cases where there isn’t enough land area available. It can also be an option for homes in urban areas, where the topsoil is a bit thin and there isn’t any room for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system can be a good option for properties that are located in an earthquake-prone area and cannot be supported by an horizontal loop.

A pond or lake geothermal heat pump can be the ideal choice for your home if you have access to plenty of water. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump however instead of using earth to heat and cool the water is used. Be aware that a geothermal loop system using the pond or lake will not function in the event of power outage. A backup generator must be installed to provide an electrical source during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a very efficient alternative to conventional methods. But when it comes to making the switch homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs against the total energy savings. There are many factors to consider such as the soil’s composition and the local climate. But one of the biggest decisions is whether to bury ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter option is less expensive, however it won’t provide as much efficiency.

A desuperheater can be described as a piece of equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal source into your hot water tank at home. It is designed to work in winter, when the cooling cycle of the system generates excess heat. The desuperheater eliminates this waste heat and utilizes it to improve your home’s heating performance. It helps reduce your energy consumption by using resources already in use.

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

In the summer, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent more in a heating dominated climate than the conventional hot water heater. This is due to the fact that the desuperheater utilizes the energy emitted by the house during the cooling process and converts it to useful 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 also comes in handy during winter, when a geothermal heating system is at its lowest capacity. The device can add the additional heat produced by the cooling system to the domestic hot-water tank. This allows the hot water tank to make use of this free energy and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is also a great way to reduce the amount of time that geothermal heating systems are in use when it’s in a place with a high heating demand.