Geothermal HVAC
In contrast to traditional HVAC systems that operate on fuel oil, natural gas propane or electricity geothermal can provide two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface are pretty constant all year.
Geothermal systems consist of a heatpump, underground loops and the distribution system. Find out more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is vital to the efficiency and durability of 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 piping is filled with a water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the requirements of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below the surface level, which makes it an ideal energy source for geothermal systems.
When the system is in heating mode the heat transfer fluid absorbs Earth’s heat and carries it to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed back into the loop, where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, it uses the opposite process to remove the heat that is not needed. It then returns it back to the loop in order to begin the next 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 not harmful to the environment, and it does not pollute the underground water supply. The system can be used to use lakes, ponds or any other body of water as a source of heat transfer fluid. This is also environmentally friendly.
Both closed and open systems can be horizontal or vertical, according to the space you need. The vertical system requires fewer trenches than horizontal systems and reduces disturbance to your landscaping. It is ideal for areas where soil depths are shallow or where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.
Whatever the kind of ground loop system you choose, it is essential to select an experienced installer. Geothermal systems require large amounts of energy to run, and it is crucial to have a well-designed and efficient system in place. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your system and allow you to save money on electricity over the long term. It is also critical to have the system flushed frequently to eliminate any mineral buildup that can reduce the flow of the heat transfer fluid and impede system efficiency. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to select the right system for your house.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy originates from the Earth and is used to heat or cool buildings. It can be harnessed using underground loops which absorb thermal energy and then transfer it into your home. The most common kind of geothermal system is called vertical ground loop. This kind of geothermal system is typically used in residential and commercial applications. This system makes use of an energy pump to transfer energy from the earth into your office or home. In the summer, it reverses to provide cooling.
The heat energy that is transferred from the ground to your home is stored in a series of buried pipes. These pipes are an essential element in any geo thermal hvac system. The tubes are made of high-density polyethylene and circulate a mixture of water and propylene glycol which is a food-grade antifreeze, through the system. The temperature of the soil or water is fairly constant for only a few feet below the surface. This allows the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems such as gas furnaces and boilers.
These loops can be placed in a horizontal trench or put into boreholes made to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are usually utilized for larger properties that have a lot of available land, while vertical boreholes are ideally suited for businesses or homes with little space. Installing a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches, which can require a lot of time and effort. In addition the ground needs to be compacted to ensure the loops have a strong grip on the soil.
A vertical loop system is much more straightforward to install than a horizontal field. The service technician digs 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 required will depend on the building’s dimensions and energy requirements.
It is essential to maintain the loop fields in order to keep your geothermal system operating at its best. This means cleaning the loop fields and performing periodic testing 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. The reason is that the temperatures of the ground and water is generally constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. The dimensions and layout of your property will determine the type of loop you make use of. The type of loop used and the method of installation employed determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.
Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems use a series of pipes buried horizontally within trenches that are 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 heated and cooled water to your home’s cooling and heating ductwork.
Initially, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches, which required a larger area of land to cover them. As technology improved and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a longer single pipe back and forth at different depths within shorter trenches decreased costs and space requirements without sacrificed performance. This is the reason for the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.
In cases where there isn’t enough space, a vertical ground loop can be an ideal alternative. It’s also a good option for homes located in urban areas, in areas where the topsoil layer is thin, and there is not much space for horizontal loops. Vertical loops can be the ideal solution for properties that are located in an earthquake-prone region and cannot support an horizontal loop.
A pond or lake geothermal heat pump is the ideal choice for your home if you have access to plenty of water. This type of system works exactly like a vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pumps, however, the water is used for heating and cooling, not the earth. Remember that the geothermal loop system that is based on the pond or lake is not functional in the event of a power failure. Installing a backup generator will provide electricity during this period.
Desuperheater
Geothermal heating is a reliable alternative to conventional methods. When it comes time to switch homeowners must balance upfront costs with total savings on energy. There are many factors to consider such as the soil’s composition and local climate. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to dig ground loops or to use an external tank to store hot water. The latter option is more affordable, but it may not provide the same level of efficiency.
A desuperheater can be described as a piece of equipment used to transfer heat from a geothermal system into your hot water tank in your home. 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 reduces your energy usage by using existing resources.
The ideal design of a desuperheater dependent on various physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These variables include the angle of injection, the temperature of the spray water and the nozzle’s design. These are all aspects that can affect the performance and operation of the desuperheater.
In a climate that is dominated by heating, a desuperheater can save you as much as 20% more than an ordinary water heater during the summer. This is because the desuperheater makes use of the energy emitted by the house in the cooling process and converts it to useful heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can provide hot water to homes for 3 to 5 months per year for a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.
The desuperheater also comes in handy during winter, when the geothermal heating system is 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 domestic hot water tank to make use of this free energy, and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater may also be used to cut down on the amount of time geothermal systems are in operation in a climate with a high degree of heating.