Geothermal HVAC

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

A geothermal system is made up of a heatpump, underground loops, and an distribution system. Learn more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the key to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and durability. It is comprised of pipes that are either cut or drilled in the yard and connect to the heat pump in your home. The piping is then filled with a solution containing water that circulates to absorb or disperse heat in accordance with the requirements of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below the 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 Earth’s heat and then carries it to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then moved into the loop where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, the system employs the opposite method to eliminate the heat surplus and return it back to the loop, where it starts a new cycle.

In a closed loop system the pipes are filled with a water-based solution, and then buried in the ground. The solution is safe for the environment. It does not pollute underground water supplies. The system can also use the pond or lake to provide heat transfer fluid, which is more eco-friendly.

Both closed and open systems can be vertical or horizontal depending on the space you require. The vertical system requires fewer trenches than a horizontal one 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 preserved.

Whatever the kind of ground loop system you choose, it is important to choose an experienced installer. Geothermal systems require large amounts of energy to operate and it is vital to have a well-designed and efficient system in place. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system, and can save you money on electricity bills in the long run. It is important to flush the system on a regular basis to get rid of any mineral deposits that can reduce the flow and effectiveness of the liquid used to transfer heat. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to select 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 using underground loops that absorb thermal energy and transfer it into your building. The most commonly used type of geothermal system can be known as vertical ground loop. This type of system is most commonly utilized in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system absorbs the heat energy from the ground and transfers it to your home or office. In summer, it operates in reverse to provide cooling.

The buried pipes store the thermal energy that transfers from the earth to your home. These pipes are a key component of any geo thermal HVAC system. The tubes are made from high-density Polyethylene, and they circulate water and propylene glycol, which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the water or soil remains fairly constant, even only a few feet beneath the surface. This allows the closed loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems, like gas furnaces or boilers.

These loops can either be inserted into a trench horizontally or inserted into boreholes that are drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are typically utilized for larger properties that have lots of land available and vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses or homes that have little space. Installation of a horizontal ground-loop involves digging trenches, which could take a considerable amount of time and effort. The ground must also be compacted to ensure that the loops are firmly fixed to the soil.

On the other side the vertical loop system can be constructed much more quickly and easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician digs holes that are 4 inches in diameter spaced 20 feet apart. He then installs the pipe to form a closed circuit. The number of holes needed will depend on the size of your building 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 up debris and conducting regular tests for bacteriological issues.

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 the temperatures of water and ground remain relatively stable, unlike the fluctuating outdoor air temperature. There are four primary types of geothermal heating loops, and the one your system uses depends on the size of your property and layout. The type of loop that is used and the method of installation determine the efficiency and effectiveness your geothermal system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pumps make use of a set of pipes buried horizontally within trenches that are four to six feet deep. The trenches are designed to hold two to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold which is the central control unit. The manifold then sends chilled and heated water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.

Initially, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches that required more land area to cover the pipes. As technology developed it was realized that laying a larger single pipe back-and-forth at varying depths within shorter trenches decreased space requirements and cost without necessarily sacrificed performance. This led to the invention of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

In situations where there isn’t enough land available, a vertical loop system is an option. It is also an option for homes situated in urban settings, where topsoil is thin and there is little if any room for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system can also be the best solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone zone and cannot support the horizontal loops.

If you have lots of water in your home, ponds or lakes can be the ideal option for your home. This kind of system operates the same as a vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pumps, except the water is used to heat and cooling, not the earth. It is crucial to note that a system that utilizes a pond or lake loop will not work in the event of a power outage. Installing a backup generator will supply electricity during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a highly efficient alternative to conventional methods. However, when making the switch homeowners must weigh the initial costs with total savings on energy. There are many factors that come into play such as the local climate and soil makeup. One of the most important decisions is whether to bury ground loops or install an external hot water tank. The latter option is less expensive but may not provide the same level of efficiency.

A desuperheater is an equipment used to transfer heat from a geothermal system to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to function during winter, when the cooling cycle of the system generates excess heat. The desuperheater utilizes this wasted heat to improve the heating performance of your home. It also reduces the energy use by utilizing pre-existing resources.

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

During the summer, a desuperheater can save up to 80 percent in a heating dominated climate than the conventional hot water heater. This is because the desuperheater uses the energy removed from the house during the cooling process and converts it to useful heat for the hot water generator. This allows the geothermal system to create domestic hot water for 3-5 months of the year at a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater also helps in the winter when the geothermal system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device adds the extra heat produced 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 heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater can even be used to cut down on the length of time the geothermal system is in operation in a climate with a high degree of heating.