Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a dual-purpose system that provides cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth beneath the surface remains relatively constant throughout the year.

A geothermal system is made up of a heatpump underground loops and the distribution system. Learn more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is vital to the efficiency and durability of a geothermal heating and cooling system. It is comprised of pipes that are either cut or drilled in the yard and connect to your home’s heat pump. The piping is 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 four to six feet below the surface, which makes it an ideal energy source for a geothermal system.

When the system is heating, the liquid used to transfer heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transfers that heat to the heating pump in your home. The fluid is then returned to the loop, where it starts the process of circulating. In cooling mode, the system utilizes the opposite process to eliminate the excess heat and return it back to the loop, where it begins another cycle.

In a closed loop system, the piping will be filled with a solution based on water, and then buried underground. The solution is safe and non-toxic for the environment. It does not pollute underground water supplies. The system can use a pond, lake or other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is also eco-friendly.

Both closed and open systems can be vertical or horizontal, depending on the space you require. The vertical system requires fewer trenches than a horizontal system and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is typically used in areas with shallow soil depths, or where existing landscaping needs to be preserved.

It is essential to choose a reliable installer, regardless of the type of system. It is crucial to have a reliable and well-designed system, since geothermal systems use a significant amount of energy. A quality installation will ensure the durability of your system, and will help you save money on electricity in the long-term. It is also critical to have the system flushed regularly to remove any mineral buildup that can hinder the flow of heat transfer fluid and hinder system efficiency. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to choose the best system for your house.

Vertical Loop

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

The pipes that are buried store the thermal energy that is transferred from the earth to your house. These pipes are an essential component of any geo-thermal HVAC system. The tubes are made of high-density polyethylene. They move the mixture of water and propylene glycol which is a food grade antifreeze, through the system. The temperature of soil or water is fairly constant for a few feet beneath the surface. The closed loop geothermal system is more efficient than other heating methods like gas boilers and furnaces.

These loops can be placed in a horizontal trench, or put into boreholes drilled to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are ideal for large estates with lots of land whereas vertical boreholes work well for homes and businesses with limited space. The process of installing a horizontal ground loop involves digging a long trench that may take a lot of time and effort. Additionally, the ground must be compacted so that the loops are able to hold a solid grip on the soil.

On the other hand vertical loop systems can be constructed quicker and with less effort than a horizontal loop field. The technician drills holes of 4 inches in diameter spaced about 20 feet apart. He then installs the pipe to form an enclosed circuit. The number of holes you need will depend on the size of your building and the energy needs.

It is vital to keep the loop fields in good condition in order to keep your geothermal system functioning at its top efficiency. This includes cleaning the loop fields and conducting 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 for this is that the temperature of the ground and water is relatively constant, unlike outdoor air temperatures that fluctuate. There are four major kinds of geothermal heating loops and the one you use will depend on your property size and layout. The type of loop that is used and the installation method determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems make use of a set of pipes buried horizontally in trenches that are four to six feet deep. The trenches can house up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected into the manifold, which is the central control unit for geothermal heat pumps. The manifold then sends hot and cool water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.

In the beginning these pipes were installed in vertical trenches, which required more land area to encase the pipes. As technology improved, it was found that layering a single pipe back and forth different depths in smaller trenches could decrease the space required and cost without losing performance. This led to the invention of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

In situations where there’s not enough land, a vertical ground loop system can be an option. It is also a good alternative for homes in urban areas where the topsoil is thin and there isn’t much space for horizontal loops. Vertical loops can also be the best solution for properties that are located in an earthquake-prone area and is not able to support a horizontal system.

If you have plenty of water lakes or ponds can be an excellent option for your home. This kind of system is similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump however, instead of using earth for heating and cooling it uses water to heat and cool. It’s important to remember that a system that utilizes lake loops or ponds is not functional in the event of an electrical power failure. Installing a backup generator can provide power during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods. When it comes time to switch homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs with total energy savings. Many factors are involved such as the soil’s composition and local climate. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to put in ground loops or to use an external tank for hot water. The latter option may be less expensive, but it might not offer as much efficiency.

A desuperheater is a piece of equipment used to transfer heat from a geothermal source into your hot water tank at home. It is designed to function in winter when the cooling process of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater takes this wasted heat and utilizes it to improve the efficiency of your home’s heating. It helps reduce your energy consumption by using resources already in use.

The optimum design for desuperheaters is determined by several physical, thermal, and geometric variables. These variables include the spray temperature and the angle of the injection, and the design of the nozzle. These are all crucial factors that affect the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

In the summer, desuperheaters can save up to 80 percent more in a climate with a high degree of heating than the conventional hot water heater. This is because the desuperheater makes use of the energy emitted by the house during the cooling process and converts it to useful heat for the hot water generator. This enables the geothermal system to make domestic hot water for 3-5 months of the year, at only a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also useful in the winter, when the geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device is able to add the extra heat generated by the cooling system to the domestic hot water tank. This enables the domestic hot water tank to use the energy that is free, and also increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is an effective way to reduce the amount of time a geothermal heating system is in use when it’s in a location with a high heating demand.