Geothermal HVAC

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

A geothermal system is comprised of the heat pump, underground loops and a distribution system (such as air ducts). Find out more about the various parts that make up this energy-efficient system.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the main element to a geothermal system’s efficiency and long-lasting. It is comprised of pipes that are cut or drilled in the backyard, and then connected to your home’s heat pump. The pipes will be filled with a water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat based on the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below the surface, making it a natural source of energy 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 in your home. The fluid is then moved into the loop where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, it utilizes the opposite method to eliminate the heat that is not needed. It returns it to the loop to begin a new cycle.

In a closed loop system the pipes are 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 pollute the underground water supply. The system can utilize a pond, lake or other body of water as a source of heat transfer fluid. This is even more eco-friendly.

Open and closed systems can be vertical or horizontal, depending on your space requirements. Vertical systems require less trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is typically used in areas with shallow soil depths or where existing landscaping must be preserved.

Regardless of the type 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 a well-designed and efficient system in place. A quality installation ensures the longevity of your geothermal system, and can save you money on electric bills in the long term. It is crucial to flush the system regularly to get rid of any mineral deposits that can reduce the flow and effectiveness of the liquid used to transfer heat. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to choose the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

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

The buried pipes 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 they circulate water as well as propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of soil or water stays relatively constant 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 be installed in a horizontal trench or put into boreholes made to a depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are best suited for large estates with lots of land, whereas vertical boreholes work well for businesses and homes with limited space. The installation process for horizontal ground loops involves digging large trenches that take a lot of time and effort. Additionally the ground has to be compacted so that the loops have a strong grip on the soil.

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

It is essential to maintain the loop fields 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 and the ground or a nearby body of water, instead of taking energy from the outside air. This is because the temperatures of water and ground remain relatively stable, unlike the fluctuating outdoor temperature. There are four main kinds of geothermal heating loops, and the one your system uses depends on the size of your property and layout. The type of loop you choose and the method of installation employed determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal systems make use of series of horizontal pipes that are that are buried in trenches ranging from four and six feet in depth. The trenches can house up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected into the manifold, which is the central control unit of geothermal heat pumps. The manifold pumps heated or cooled water into your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.

In the beginning these pipes were installed in vertical trenches, which required more land space to surround the pipes. As technology advanced it was realized that laying a larger single pipe back-and-forth at varying depths within shorter trenches decreased space requirements and cost without sacrificing performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of installing horizontal geothermal loops.

In situations where there isn’t enough space, a vertical ground loop system can be an ideal alternative. It’s also a good alternative for homes in urban areas where the topsoil is thin, and there is not much space for horizontal loops. Vertical loops can also be the best solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone area and cannot support the horizontal loops.

If you have a lot of water lakes, ponds or ponds could be an excellent alternative for your home. This type of system works the same as vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump, but the water is used for heating and cooling, not the earth. It is important to keep in mind that a geothermal system using a pond or lake loop will not 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 and cooling is a very efficient alternative to traditional methods. However, when making the switch homeowners must weigh upfront costs against the total energy savings. There are a myriad of variables that play into the equation, including 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 might not offer the same efficiency.

A desuperheater is an equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal system into your hot water tank at home. It is designed to function in the winter months when the cooling cycle of the system generates excess heat. The desuperheater takes this wasted heat and uses it to increase your home’s heating performance. It lowers your energy use by using existing resources.

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

In the summer, desuperheaters can save up to 80 percent in a climate that is dominated by heating than traditional hot water heaters. The desuperheater converts the energy removed from the house during the cooling process into heat for the hot water generator. This allows the geothermal system to make domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months of the year at a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also useful in winter months, when a geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device takes away the extra heat produced by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the domestic hot water tank to utilize this energy for free and increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater may also be used to cut down on the time that geothermal systems are in operation in a climate that is dominated by heating.