Geothermal HVAC

Unlike traditional HVAC systems that operate on fuel oil, natural gas propane or electricity geothermal offers two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface are relatively consistent year-round.

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

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is vital to the effectiveness and longevity of a geothermal heating and cooling system. It is comprised of pipes that can be drilled or trenched in the backyard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The piping will be filled with a water-based fluid and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat based on the requirements of your home. The temperature of the ground stays constant from four to six feet below the surface, which makes it an ideal energy source for a geothermal system.

When the system is in heating mode in the heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs the earth’s heat and then transfers it to the heat pump within your home. The fluid is then transferred to the loop where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, the system employs the reverse process to remove the excess heat and return it to the loop where it starts the next cycle.

In a closed loop system the pipe is filled with a water-based solution, and then placed in the ground. The solution is safe and non-toxic to the environment, and does not affect the underground water supply. The system can utilize lakes, ponds or other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is also eco-friendly.

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

It is crucial to choose a reliable installer regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require large amounts of energy to run 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 will save your money on electricity costs in the long run. It is also essential to have the system flushed regularly to remove any mineral buildup. This can reduce the flow of heat transfer fluid and hinder system efficiency. GeoDoctor experts can help you choose the best system for your house.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is derived from the Earth and is utilized to cool or heat buildings. It is harnessed using underground loops that absorb thermal energy and transfer it to your building. The most popular type of geothermal system can be called vertical ground loop. This type of geothermal system is commonly used in commercial and residential applications. This system uses an energy pump to transfer thermal energy from the earth to your office or home. In the summer it reverses to provide cooling.

The pipes that are buried store the thermal energy that transfers from the earth to your house. These pipes are an essential part of any geo-thermal HVAC system. The pipes are made of high-density Polyethylene and circulate water as well as propylene glycol, which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water stays almost constant just only a few feet below the surface. This allows the closed loop geothermal heat pump to work more efficiently than other heating systems such as gas furnaces and boilers.

These loops can either be inserted into an excavation horizontally or into boreholes that are drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are ideal for large homes with lots of land, whereas vertical boreholes work well for businesses and homes with little space. The installation process for a horizontal ground loop involves digging extensive trenches that can take a lot of time and effort. In addition the ground has to be compacted to ensure that the loops have a firm grip on the soil.

A vertical loop system is much simpler to set up than a horizontal field. The technician digging holes that are 4 inches in diameter and approximately 20 feet apart, then installs the piping to create a closed loop. The number of holes you need will depend on the size of your building and the energy demands.

It is crucial to maintain the loop fields in order to keep your geothermal system functioning at its peak. This includes cleaning up debris and conducting regular tests for bacteriological health.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home, the ground or a nearby body water instead of the air outside. This is because temperatures in the ground and in the water remain relatively stable, in contrast to the fluctuating outdoor air temperature. The size and layout of your property will determine the type of loop you employ. The type of loop that is used and the method used to install it determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal system.

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

Initially the pipes were installed in vertical trenches that required more land area to encase the pipes. As technology improved it was discovered that laying a single, longer pipe back and forth different depths in smaller trenches could help reduce the space required and cost without the loss of performance. This was the beginning of the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.

A vertical ground loop system is an excellent alternative to a horizontal geothermal heat pump system for situations in which there is not enough land space available. It’s also a good alternative for homes situated in urban areas where the topsoil is thin, and there is not much space for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system could be a good option if your property is in an earthquake-prone region and cannot support the horizontal loops.

If you have lots of water lakes, ponds or ponds could be an excellent alternative for your home. This kind of system operates exactly like a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heat pumps, but the water is used for heating and cooling, instead of the earth. Remember that the geothermal loop system that is based on a lake or pond is not functional in the event of power outage. A backup generator needs to be installed to supply an electrical source during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods. But when it comes to making the switch, homeowners must balance upfront costs against total energy savings. There are a variety of factors that come into play such as the local climate and soil makeup. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to dig ground loops, or use an external tank for hot water. The latter option is less expensive but may not offer the same level of efficiency.

A desuperheater transfers heat from geothermal heating systems to your hot water tank. It is designed to function in winter when the cooling cycle of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater takes this wasted heat and uses it to increase the efficiency of your home’s heating. It also reduces the energy use by utilizing existing resources.

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

During the summer, desuperheaters can 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 home during the cooling process and converts it to useful heat for the hot water generator. This allows the geothermal system to produce domestic hot water for 3-5 months of the year at only a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater also helps in winter when a geothermal system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device removes the extra heat generated by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to use this energy free of charge and increase the system’s heating capacity. The desuperheater is also an effective way to reduce the amount of time a geothermal heating system is being used when it’s in a place that has a high demand for heating.