Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a dual-purpose system that can provide both heating and cooling. The temperatures of the earth below the surface stay pretty constant all year.

A geothermal system is made up of a heatpump, underground loops, and the distribution system. Learn more about the various components of this energy-efficient system.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is vital to the durability and efficiency of geothermal heating and cooling system. It consists of pipes that are placed in the backyard and connected to your home’s heat pump. The pipes will be filled with water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat based on the requirements of your home. The ground’s temperature is relatively constant from four to six feet below the surface, which makes it a natural source of energy for geothermal systems.

When the system is in heating mode in the heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs earth’s heat and then transfers it to the heat pump in your house. The fluid is then transferred to the loop where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, the system uses the reverse process to remove the heat that is left and return it to the loop, where it begins a new cycle.

In a closed loop system, the piping is filled with a product based on water and buried underground. The solution is safe and not harmful to the environment, and it does not pollute the water supply in underground. The system can also utilize a pond or lake as a source of heat transfer fluid, making it more environmentally friendly.

Both closed and open systems can be vertical or horizontal depending on the space you require. Vertical systems require fewer trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is often used in areas where soil depths are shallow or where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.

Whatever the kind of ground loop system you choose, it is important to choose a reliable installer. Geothermal systems require a lot of energy to run and it is essential to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A properly installed system will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system, and saves you money on electric bills in the long run. It is essential to flush the system on a regular basis to eliminate any minerals that could reduce the flow and efficiency of the liquid used to transfer heat. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to select the right system for your house.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy derived from the Earth that is used to cool and heat buildings. It can be harnessed by underground loops which absorb thermal energy and then transfer it to your building. The most common type of geothermal system is called a vertical ground loop. This type of system is typically employed in commercial and residential applications. The system utilizes an energy pump to transfer energy from the earth into your home or office. In summer, it operates in reverse to provide cooling.

The thermal energy that is transferred from the ground to your house is stored in a set of buried pipes. These pipes are an essential part of any geo-thermal hvac system. The tubes are made from high-density Polyethylene, and they circulate water as well as propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of soil or water is almost constant just within a few feet of the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system is more efficient than other heating methods such as gas boilers and furnaces.

The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench or put into boreholes dug to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are ideal for large properties with lots of land while vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses and homes with limited space. Installation of a horizontal ground-loop involves digging trenches that can take a lot of time and effort. In addition, the ground must be compacted so that the loops have a firm hold on the soil.

On the other the other hand the vertical loop system can be constructed quicker and with less effort than a horizontal loop field. The technician drills holes of 4 inches in diameter spaced about 20 feet apart. He then installs the pipe to create a closed circuit. The number of holes needed will depend on your building’s size and the energy requirements.

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

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home, the ground, or a nearby body of water instead of the air outside. This is because ground and water temperatures remain relatively stable, compared to the fluctuating outdoor temperature. There are four main types of geothermal heating loops and the one you choose to use depends on the size of your property and layout. The type of loop that is used and the method used to install it determine the efficiency and effectiveness your geothermal system.

Horizontal geothermal systems make use of series horizontal pipes buried in trenches between four and six feet in depth. The trenches can accommodate up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected into the manifold, which is the central control unit for geothermal heat pumps. The manifold then sends hot and cool water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.

In the beginning, these piping systems were placed in vertical trenches that required a larger amount of land to encase them. As technology improved and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a single pipe back and forth at different depths within shorter trenches decreased the space required and cost, without sacrificing performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of installing horizontal geothermal loops.

A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to horizontal geothermal heat pump system in situations where there isn’t enough land area available. It can also be an option for homes situated in urban areas where the topsoil is a bit thin and there isn’t any space for horizontal loops. If your home is in an earthquake-prone zone and is not able to support an horizontal loop system, a vertical loop system might be the best option.

If you have a lot of water in your home lakes or ponds can be an excellent alternative for your home. This kind of system functions exactly like vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump, except the water is used to heat and cooling, instead of the earth. Remember that the geothermal loop system that is based on a lake or pond will not function in the event of a power outage. Installing a backup generator can supply electricity during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal cooling and heating is a very efficient alternative to conventional methods. But when switching to geothermal homeowners must weigh the initial costs with total savings on energy. Many factors are involved including the soil’s composition and local climate. But one of the biggest choices is whether to put in ground loops or use an external hot water tank. The latter is less expensive, but may not offer the same efficiency.

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

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

In a climate dominated by heating, a desuperheater can save you up to 80% more than a traditional water heater in the summer. The desuperheater converts the energy removed from the home through cooling into heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can provide hot water to homes for 3 to 5 months per year, at a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also able to help in the winter when the geothermal system is operating at its smallest 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 make use of the energy that is free and boosts the system’s heating capacity. The desuperheater may also be used to cut down on the amount of time a geothermal system is active in a heating dominated climate.