Geothermal HVAC

Contrary to traditional HVAC systems that operate on fuel oil, natural gas propane, electricity or fuel oil geothermal offers two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth beneath the surface remains relatively constant throughout the year.

A geothermal system consists of an underground heat pump, loops and a distribution system (such as air ducts). Find out more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is vital to the effectiveness and longevity of a geothermal heating and cooling system. It consists of pipes that are trenched or drilled in the yard and connect to your home’s heat pump. The piping will be filled with a water-based solution and circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the needs of your home. The ground’s temperature is relatively constant between four and six feet below the surface, which makes it an ideal energy source for a geothermal system.

When the system is heating, the liquid that transfers heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transfers the heat to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed back to the loop, where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, the system uses the opposite method to eliminate the heat that is left and return it to the loop where it starts a new cycle.

In a closed-loop system the piping will be filled with a product based on water and buried underground. The solution is non-toxic and safe for the environment. It doesn’t pollute underground water supplies. The system can use the pond, lake or other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is even more green.

Depending on the space available Open and closed systems can be set up either vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require fewer trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is often utilized in areas with shallow soil depths or in areas where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.

Whatever the kind of ground loop system, it is important to choose a reliable installer. Geothermal systems require substantial amounts of energy to run and it is vital to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A quality installation will ensure the long-term viability of your system and allow you to save money on electricity in the long run. It is also crucial to flush the system regularly to remove any mineral buildup that can reduce the flow of the heat transfer fluid and reduce system efficiency. GeoDoctor experts can help you choose the best system for your house.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy originates from the Earth and is used to heat or cool buildings. This energy is harnessed by using a series of underground loops that absorb thermal energy and transfer it to your building. Vertical ground loops are the most commonly used geothermal system. This kind of system is typically used in commercial and residential settings. The heat pump in this system captures the heat energy from the ground and transfers it to your office or home. In the summer, it operates in reverse to provide cooling.

The buried pipes store the thermal energy that transfers from the earth to your building. These pipes are a key element in any geo thermal HVAC system. The pipes are made of high-density Polyethylene, and they circulate water as well as propylene glycol, which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the water or soil stays relatively constant for just a few feet below the surface. This allows the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems, like gas furnaces or boilers.

The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench or inserted into boreholes that are made to a depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are usually used for larger properties with a lot of available land, while vertical boreholes are ideal for homes or businesses that have small spaces. The installation process for a horizontal ground loop involves digging a long trench that may take a lot of time and effort. Additionally the ground needs to be compacted so that the loops have a strong hold on the soil.

A vertical loop system is much easier to install than a horizontal field. The technician digging holes that are 4 inches in diameter and 20 feet apart, then installs the piping to create an enclosed loop. The number of holes required will depend on your building’s size and energy requirements.

To ensure that your geothermal heating and cooling system at peak performance it is crucial to properly maintain the loop fields. This includes cleaning up debris and conducting regular bacteriological testing.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your house and the ground or a nearby body of water, and not from the outdoor air. The reason is that the temperatures of the ground and water is relatively constant, unlike outdoor air temperatures that fluctuate. The size and layout of your property will determine the type of loop you employ. The type of loop you choose to use and the method of installation determine the efficiency and effectiveness your geothermal 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 are designed to accommodate three to four pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold, which is the central control unit. The manifold pumps heated or cooled water into your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.

In the beginning these pipes were buried in vertical trenches which required a larger space to surround the pipes. As technology improved, it was discovered that laying a larger single pipe back-and-forth in varying depths within smaller trenches could reduce space requirements and cost without necessarily sacrificing performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.

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

A geothermal pond or lake pump can be the ideal option for your home in the event that you have access an abundance of water. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump, but instead of using the earth to heat and cool the water is used. Remember that a geothermal loop system using lakes or ponds cannot function in the event of a power failure. A backup generator should be installed to supply a source of electricity during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods. However, when switching to geothermal homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs against the total savings on energy. There are a myriad of aspects to consider such as the local climate and soil makeup. But one of the biggest choices is whether to put in ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter option may be less expensive, however it won’t provide the same efficiency.

A desuperheater is an equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal source into your hot water tank in your home. It is designed to function during winter, when the cooling process of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater removes this waste heat and uses it to increase the efficiency of your home’s heating. It can also cut down on your energy usage by using existing sources.

The optimum design for a desuperheater is determined by a variety of physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These factors include the injection angle, temperature of the spray water and the nozzle design. These are all significant factors that affect the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

In a climate that is dominated by heating, a desuperheater could save you as much as 80percent more than a conventional water heater during the summer. This is because the desuperheater uses the energy removed from the house in the cooling process and converts it to useful heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can provide domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months a year for a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater also helps during winter, when the geothermal system is operating at its smallest capacity. The device can add the additional heat generated by the cooling system to the domestic hot-water tank. This allows the hot water tank to utilize this energy free of charge and increase the heating capacity of the system. Desuperheaters are also an excellent way to cut down on the amount of time a geothermal heating system is being used when it’s in a place with a high heating demand.