Geothermal HVAC

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

Geothermal systems consist up of a heatpump underground loops, and an distribution system. Learn more about the different components of this energy-efficient system:.

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 are trenched or drilled in the backyard, and then connected to your home’s heat pump. The pipes are then filled with a water-based solution that circulates to absorb or disperse heat according to the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground is 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 into the loop where it begins the process of circulating. In cooling mode, the system utilizes the opposite process to eliminate the excess heat and return it to the loop where it starts another cycle.

In a closed-loop system, the piping will be filled with a solution made of water and buried underground. The solution is safe and non-toxic for the environment. It does not pollute underground water sources. The system can also make use of the pond or lake as a source of heat transfer fluid, which is more environmentally friendly.

Depending on the available space Open and closed systems can be installed horizontally or vertically. The vertical system requires fewer trenches than a horizontal one and is less disruptive to your landscaping. It is ideal for areas where soil depths are shallow or when existing landscaping needs to be preserved.

Regardless of the type of ground loop system you choose, it is important to choose a reliable installer. It is essential to have a well-functioning and well-designed system as geothermal systems use a significant amount of energy. A well-designed installation will ensure the durability of your system, and will help you save energy costs in the long run. It is crucial to flush the system regularly to remove any minerals which could affect the efficiency and flow of the liquid used to transfer heat. A GeoDoctor expert can help you determine the best system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy derived from the Earth that is used to cool and heat buildings. It is a source of energy that can be harnessed through underground loops that absorb heat and then transfer it into your building. The most common type of geothermal system is known as a vertical ground loop. This type of system is most commonly employed in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system takes the thermal energy from the ground and carries it to your office or home. In the summer, it works in reverse to provide cooling.

The buried pipes store the thermal energy that transfers from the earth to your home. These pipes are an essential component of any geo thermal hvac system. The tubes are made from high-density Polyethylene, and they circulate water as well as propylene glycol, which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water remains fairly constant at 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 and boilers.

These loops can either be installed in the horizontal direction of a trench or placed in boreholes that are drilled from to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are generally used for larger properties with a lot of available land, while vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses or homes with little space. The installation process for a horizontal ground loop involves digging extensive trenches that can require considerable time and effort. In addition the ground has to be compacted so that the loops are able to hold a solid hold on the soil.

On the other the other hand, a vertical loop system can be constructed much more quickly and easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician makes holes that are 4 inches in diameter, spaced 20 feet apart. He then connects the pipe to form an enclosed circuit. The number of holes needed will be determined by your building’s dimensions and energy requirements.

It is crucial to maintain the loop fields in order to keep your geothermal system running at its best. This includes cleaning the loop fields and conducting periodic testing for bacteriological issues.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and ground or nearby bodies of water, and not being able to draw energy from the air outside. The reason is that the temperature of the ground and water is fairly constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. The size and layout of your property will determine which loop to make use of. The type of loop you choose and the method of installation used determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal systems employ series of horizontal pipes, which are placed in trenches that are between four and six feet in depth. The trenches can house up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to an amanifold that is the central control unit for geothermal heat pumps. The manifold pumps heated or cooled water to your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.

Initially, these piping systems were placed in vertical trenches that required a larger amount of land to cover them. As technology advanced, it was discovered that layering a longer single pipe back-and-forth in varying depths within shorter trenches decreased space requirements and cost without necessarily losing performance. This was the beginning of the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.

In cases where there isn’t enough land, a vertical ground loop can be a good alternative. It is also an option for homes 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 if your property is in an earthquake-prone region and cannot be supported by an horizontal loop.

A geothermal lake or pond heat pump is the ideal option for your home if you have access to an ample amount of water. This kind of system is similar to a horizontal or a vertical ground loop geothermal heating system however, instead of using earth for heating and cooling the water is used. Remember that the geothermal loop system that is based on lakes or ponds is not functional in the event of a power outage. Installing a backup generator can supply electricity during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal cooling and heating is a very efficient alternative to conventional methods. But when switching to geothermal homeowners must weigh upfront costs against total savings on energy. There are many aspects to consider such as the local climate and soil’s composition. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to bury ground loops, or use an external tank for hot water. The latter is less expensive, but may not provide the same efficiency.

A desuperheater transfer 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 excess heat. The desuperheater utilizes this wasted heat to boost the heating performance of your home. It can also cut down on your energy usage by using existing resources.

The ideal design of a desuperheater dependent on several physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These variables include the injection angle, temperature of the spray water, and the nozzle design. These are all significant aspects that affect the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

In the summer months, desuperheaters can save up to 80 percent more in a heating dominated climate than the conventional hot water heater. This is because the desuperheater uses the energy that is emitted from the home during the cooling process and converts it into useful heat for the hot water generator. This enables the geothermal system to create 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 a 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 domestic hot water tank to make use of this energy for free and increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater can even be used to decrease the amount of time geothermal systems are in operation in a heating dominated climate.