Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a system that provides heating and cooling. The temperature of the earth below the surface remains relatively constant throughout the year.

Geothermal systems consist of a heat pump, underground loops, and a distribution system (such as air ducts). Find out more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the most important element to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and durability. It is comprised of pipes that can be drilled or trenched in the backyard to connect with 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 temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below surface level, making it an ideal energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is in heating mode in the heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs heat from the earth and carries it to the heat pump in your house. The fluid is then moved into the loop which is then able to circulate again. In cooling mode, the system utilizes the opposite process to eliminate the heat surplus and return it back 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 use the pond, lake or any other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is even more environmentally friendly.

Both closed and open systems can be vertical or horizontal according to the space you need. 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 must be preserved.

No matter what type of ground loop system, it is important to choose a reliable installer. It is important to have a well-functioning and well-designed system as geothermal systems use a lot of energy. A properly installed system will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system and can save your money on electricity costs in the long term. It is important to flush the system regularly to eliminate any minerals which could affect the flow and efficiency of the liquid used to transfer heat. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to choose the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy comes from the Earth and is utilized to cool or heat buildings. This energy is harnessed by using underground loops that absorb the thermal energy and transfer it to your building. The most common kind of geothermal system is known as vertical ground loop. This kind of geothermal system is typically used in commercial and residential settings. The heat pump in this system absorbs the heat energy from the ground and carries it to your office or home. In the summer, it reverses to provide cooling.

The buried pipes store the thermal energy that is transferred from the earth to your building. These pipes are a key element of any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of high-density Polyethylene and circulate water and propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of soil or water stays almost constant just a few feet beneath the surface. This enables the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems such as gas furnaces and boilers.

The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench or inserted into boreholes that are drilled to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are generally used for larger homes with lots of land available and vertical boreholes are ideally suited for businesses or homes that have small spaces. The process of installing horizontal ground loops involves digging extensive trenches that can take a considerable amount of time and effort. Additionally the ground has to be compacted to ensure the loops have a strong hold on the soil.

On the other side, a vertical loop system can be installed much more quickly and easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician digging holes that are 4 inches in diameter and about 20 feet apart, and 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 keep the loop fields in good condition in order to keep your geothermal system operating at its best. This includes cleaning the loop fields and performing periodic testing for bacteriological issues.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pump transfers energy between your home, the ground or a nearby body of water instead of the air outside. This is because the temperatures of water and ground remain relatively stable, unlike the fluctuating outdoor temperature. There are four primary kinds of geothermal heating loops, and which one you use will depend on your property size and layout. The type of loop you choose and the installation method used determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal systems employ series of horizontal pipes that are placed in trenches that are between four and six feet in depth. The trenches can hold up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold which is the central control unit for geothermal heat pumps. The manifold then delivers heated and cooled water to your home’s cooling and heating ductwork.

Initially, these pipes were installed in vertical trenches, which required more land area to encase the pipes. As technology improved, it was found that layering a single pipe back and forth at different depths in smaller trenches could decrease the space required and cost without losing performance. This led to the development of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

A vertical ground loop system is an excellent alternative to a horizontal geothermal heat pump system in situations where there isn’t enough land area available. It can also be an option for homes in urban areas in which the topsoil is scarce and there is little if any room for horizontal loops. Vertical loops can be a good option if your property is in an earthquake-prone area and is not able to support a horizontal system.

If you have lots of water, ponds or lakes can be a great option for your home. This kind of system is similar to a horizontal or a vertical ground loop geothermal heating system, but instead of using earth to heat and cool it uses water to heat and cool. It is important to keep in mind that a geothermal system that uses a pond or lake loop will not function in the event of a power failure. Installing a backup generator will provide electricity during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is an efficient alternative to conventional methods. But when it comes to making the switch homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs against the total energy savings. Many factors are involved such as the soil’s composition and local climate. But one of the biggest decisions is whether to bury ground loops or use an external hot water tank. The latter option is less expensive, but it might not offer the same efficiency.

A desuperheater transfers heat from a geothermal heating system to your home hot water tank. It is designed to work in the winter when the cooling process of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater utilizes this wasted heat to boost the heating efficiency of your home. It helps reduce your energy consumption by using pre-existing resources.

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

In a climate that is dominated by heating, a desuperheater can save you as much as 80percent more than a traditional water heater in the summer. The desuperheater converts the energy removed from the home during cooling into heat for the hot-water generator. Geothermal systems can provide domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months of the year at a fraction the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater also helps in winter when the geothermal system is operating at its smallest capacity. The device takes away the extra heat generated by the cooling system and then adds it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the domestic hot water tank to utilize this energy for free and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. Desuperheaters are also a great way to reduce the time that a geothermal heating system is operating when it’s in a climate that has a large demand for heating.