Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a two-in-one system that can provide cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth beneath the surface remains relatively constant throughout the year.

Geothermal systems are made up of a heatpump underground loops and a distribution system. Find out more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is vital to the efficiency and durability of a geothermal heating and cooling system. 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 then filled with a water-based fluid that circulates to absorb or disperse heat according to the needs of your home. The ground’s temperature is relatively constant four to six feet below the surface, making it a natural source of energy for a geothermal system.

When the system is in heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs earth’s heat and then transfers it to the heat pump within your home. The fluid is then returned to the loop where it begins circulating again. In cooling mode, the system utilizes the opposite process to eliminate the heat that is left and return it back to the loop where it starts the next cycle.

In a closed loop system, the pipes are filled with a water-based product and buried in the ground. The solution is safe for the environment. It is not a pollutant to underground water supplies. The system can also use lakes or ponds as the source of heat transfer fluid, which is more environmentally friendly.

Based on the space available depending on the space available, open and closed systems may be installed vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require less trenches than horizontal systems and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is typically used in areas with shallow soil depths or in areas where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.

Regardless of the type of ground loop system you choose, it is essential to select an experienced installer. It is important to have a well-functioning and well-designed system, as geothermal systems use a lot of energy. A well-designed installation will ensure the long-term viability of your system and help you save energy costs in the long run. It is essential to flush the system on a regular basis to get rid of any mineral deposits that can reduce the efficiency and flow of the heat transfer liquid. A GeoDoctor expert can help you determine the best system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy that comes from the Earth that is used to cool and heat buildings. It can be harnessed through underground loops which absorb thermal energy and then transfer it to your building. Vertical ground loops are the most common geothermal system. This kind of system is commonly utilized in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system captures the thermal energy from the ground and transfers it to your home or office. 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 an essential part of any geo-thermal HVAC system. The pipes are made of high-density Polyethylene and circulate water and propylene glycol, which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant, even just a few feet below the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system can be more efficient than other heating methods, such as gas boilers and furnaces.

These loops can be installed in a horizontal trench, or put into boreholes made to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are generally used for larger homes with a lot of available land, while vertical boreholes are ideally suited for homes or businesses with limited space. Installing a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches, which can take a considerable amount of time and effort. In addition the ground has to be compacted to ensure the loops have a strong grip on the soil.

On the other side vertical loop systems can be installed quicker and with less effort than a horizontal loop field. The technician digs holes that are 4 inches in diameter, spaced 20 feet apart. Then, he installs the pipe to create an enclosed circuit. The number of holes needed will depend on the size of your structure and the energy needs.

It is essential to keep the loop fields in good condition in order to keep your geothermal system operating at its best. This means removing any debris and conducting periodic tests for bacteriological issues.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and ground or a nearby body of water, instead of being able to draw energy from the air outside. This is because temperatures in the ground and in the water remain relatively stable, compared to the fluctuating temperature of outdoor air. The dimensions and layout of your property will determine which loop you make use of. The type of loop used and the method of installation used determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal systems make use of series of horizontal pipes that are placed in trenches that are between four and six feet deep. The trenches can accommodate up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold which is the geothermal heat pump’s central control unit. The manifold sends heated or chilled water into your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.

In the beginning, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches, which required a larger amount of land to encase them. As technology developed it was realized that layering a single pipe back and forth at different depths within shorter trenches reduced space requirements and cost without sacrificing performance. This led to the creation of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

In situations where there isn’t enough space, a vertical ground loop system can be a good alternative. It is also an option for homes situated in urban areas where the topsoil is a bit thin and there isn’t any space for horizontal loops. Vertical loops can be the ideal solution for properties that are located in an earthquake-prone region and cannot support an horizontal loop.

If you have lots of water available lakes or ponds can be an excellent alternative for your home. This type of system works the same as a vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pumps, but the water is used for heating and cooling instead of the earth. It is important to keep in mind that a geothermal system that uses lakes or ponds will not work in the event of an electrical power failure. A backup generator needs to be installed to provide a source of electricity during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is a reliable alternative to conventional methods. However, when switching to geothermal homeowners must weigh upfront costs against the total savings on energy. Many factors are involved, including the soil composition and climate of the area. One of the most important decisions is whether to bury ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter option is less expensive, however it may not provide as much efficiency.

A desuperheater transfers heat from a geothermal heating system to your hot water tank. It is designed to work during winter, when the system’s cooling cycle produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater uses this waste heat to boost the heating efficiency of your home. It helps reduce your energy consumption by using resources already in use.

The best design of a desuperheater dependent on several physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These include the injection angle, the temperature of the spray water, and the nozzle’s design. These are all aspects that can affect the performance and efficiency of the desuperheater.

During the summer months, a desuperheater can save up to 80 percent more in a heating dominated climate than traditional hot water heaters. The desuperheater converts the energy that is taken from the house through cooling into heat for the hot-water generator. Geothermal systems can provide hot water to homes for 3 to 5 months of the year for a fraction of the cost of alternative energy sources.

The desuperheater can also help during winter, when the geothermal system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device removes the extra heat generated by the cooling system and adds it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the domestic hot water tank to utilize this free energy, and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater could be used to decrease the amount of time geothermal systems are in operation in a heating dominated climate.