Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a dual-purpose system that can provide both cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface remain relatively consistent year-round.

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

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is vital to the efficiency and durability of geothermal cooling and heating system. It is made up of pipes that can be drilled or slit in the backyard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The pipes are then filled with a water-based solution that circulates to absorb or disperse heat based on your home’s needs. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below surface level, which makes it an ideal energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is in heating mode the heat transfer fluid absorbs the Earth’s heat and then carries it to the heat pump in 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 the next cycle.

In a closed loop system the pipe is filled with a water-based solution and is buried in the ground. The solution is safe for the environment. It does not pollute underground water sources. The system can utilize lakes, ponds or other body of water to provide heat transfer fluid. This is even more green.

Depending on the space available, closed and open systems can be installed vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require fewer trenches than a horizontal one and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is ideal for areas in which soil depths are low or in areas where existing landscaping must be preserved.

Whatever the kind of ground loop system you choose, it is crucial 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 quality installation ensures the longevity of your geothermal system and can save you money on electricity bills in the long run. It is essential to flush the system on a regular basis to remove any minerals which could affect the flow and efficiency of the heat transfer liquid. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to choose the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy that comes from the Earth that is utilized to heat and cool buildings. This energy is harnessed by using underground loops which absorb the thermal energy and transfer it to your building. Vertical ground loops are the most popular geothermal system. This type of system is most commonly employed in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system takes the heat energy from the ground and transfers it to your office or home. In the summer, it works in reverse to provide cooling.

The heat energy that is transferred from the ground to your building is stored in a series of buried pipes. These pipes are a crucial 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 fairly constant for within a few feet of the surface. This enables the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to work more efficiently than other heating systems like gas furnaces and boilers.

The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench, or inserted into boreholes that are drilled to a depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches work best for large properties with lots of land while vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses and homes with little space. The installation of a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches, which can require a lot of time and effort. Additionally the ground has to be compacted to ensure that the loops are able to hold a solid hold on the soil.

On the other hand, a vertical loop system can be constructed quicker and with less effort than a horizontal loop field. The technician digging holes that are 4 inches in diameter and approximately 20 feet apart, and installs the piping to create a closed loop. The number of holes needed will depend on the size of your structure and the energy needs.

It is crucial to maintain the loop fields to keep your geothermal system operating at its top efficiency. This includes removing debris and conducting periodic tests for bacteriological issues.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your house and the ground or nearby bodies of water, rather than taking energy from the outside air. The reason is that the temperature of the ground and the water is relatively constant, unlike outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. There are four main types of geothermal heating loops, and which one your system uses depends on your property size and layout. 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 systems make use of series horizontal pipes placed in trenches that are between four and six feet deep. The trenches are constructed to accommodate two to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected into the manifold, which is the central control unit of the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold pumps heated or cooled water to your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.

Originally, these piping system were installed in vertical trenches which required a larger area of land to encase them. As technology advanced, it was found that laying a single, longer pipe back and forth at varying depths in shorter trenches could reduce space requirements and costs without losing performance. This is the reason for the “slinky” method of installing horizontal geothermal loops.

A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to a horizontal geothermal heat pump system in cases where there isn’t enough land available. It is also an option for homes in urban settings, where topsoil is thin and there isn’t any room for horizontal loops. Vertical loops can be a good option if your property is in an earthquake-prone region and is not able to support an horizontal loop.

A pond or lake geothermal heat pump can be the ideal option for your home in the event that you have access an ample amount of water. This kind of system is similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump however, instead of using earth for cooling and heating it uses water to heat and cool. It’s important to remember that a geothermal system using a pond or lake loop will not function in the event of a power outage. A backup generator must be installed to supply an electric source 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 total energy savings. Many factors are involved, including the soil composition and the local climate. One of the most important choices is whether or not to dig ground loops, or install an external tank for hot water. The latter option is more affordable, but it might not offer the same efficiency.

A desuperheater transfers heat from geothermal heating systems to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to function during winter, when the system’s cooling cycle produces excess heat. The desuperheater takes this wasted heat and utilizes it to improve your home’s heating performance. It also reduces the energy use by utilizing existing resources.

The optimal design of a desuperheater is dependent on various physical geometric, thermal, and variables. These variables include the spray temperature as well as the angle of injection, and the shape of the nozzle. These are all aspects that can influence the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

In a climate dominated heating, a desuperheater can save you up to 80percent more than an ordinary water heater during the summer. The desuperheater converts the energy taken from the house through cooling into heat for the hot water generator. This allows the geothermal system to produce domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months of the year at only a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater can also help during 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 hot water tank to make use of this free energy and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is also an effective way to reduce the amount of time that a geothermal heating system is in use when it’s in a place with a high heating demand.