Geothermal HVAC

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

Geothermal systems consist up of a heatpump underground loops and an distribution system. Learn more about this efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is essential to the effectiveness and longevity of geothermal heating and cooling system. It is made up of pipes that can be drilled, or even truncated in the yard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The pipes will be filled with a water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the requirements of your home. The ground’s temperature is relatively constant between four and six feet below the surface, making it a natural energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is heating up, the heat transfer liquid absorbs heat from the earth. It then transfers that heat to the heating pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed back into the loop, where it starts the process of circulating. In cooling mode, it employs the opposite process to remove the heat surplus. It returns it to the loop to start the next cycle.

In a closed loop system, the piping is filled with a solution made of water and buried underground. The solution is non-toxic and safe for the environment. It does not pollute underground water supplies. The system can also make use of lakes or ponds to provide heat transfer fluid, which is more environmentally friendly.

Open and closed systems can be vertical or horizontal depending on the space you require. Vertical systems require less trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is used in areas where soil depths are low or where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.

It is essential to choose a reliable installer regardless of the kind of system. It is crucial to have a reliable 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 over the long term. It is also critical to have the system flushed frequently to eliminate any mineral buildup, which could hinder the flow of the heat transfer fluid and reduce system efficiency. A GeoDoctor expert can help you determine the best system for your home.

Vertical Loop

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

The heat energy that is transferred from the ground to your home is stored in a network of buried pipes. These pipes are a crucial part of any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of high-density polyethylene and circulate the mixture of propylene glycol and water which is a food grade antifreeze through the system. The temperature of the soil or water remains almost constant just only a few feet below the surface. The closed loop geothermal system is more efficient than other heating methods like gas boilers and furnaces.

The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench or inserted into boreholes that are drilled to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches work best for large homes with lots of land whereas vertical boreholes work well for homes and businesses with small spaces. The installation of a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches, which can take a lot of time and effort. Additionally the ground needs to be compacted to ensure that the loops have a strong hold on the soil.

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

It is essential to keep the loop fields in good condition in order to keep your geothermal system functioning at its best. This involves 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 water instead of the air outside. The reason for this is that the temperature of the ground and water is generally constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures which fluctuate. The size and layout of your property will determine the type of loop you use. The type of loop used and the method of installation used determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pumps utilize a series of pipes that are buried horizontally in trenches that range from four to six feet deep. The trenches are constructed to accommodate two to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold, which is the geothermal heat pump’s central control unit. The manifold is a conduit for heated or cooled water to your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.

Initially, these pipes were buried in vertical trenches which required a larger area to encase the pipes. As technology developed, it was discovered that layering a longer single pipe back-and-forth in varying depths within shorter trenches decreased costs and space requirements without necessarily sacrificing performance. This led to the invention of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

In situations where there isn’t enough space, a vertical ground loop system is a good alternative. It is also a good alternative for homes situated in urban areas where the topsoil is thin and there isn’t enough space for horizontal loops. If your property is located in an earthquake-prone region and is unable to support an horizontal loop system, a vertical loop system might be the best option.

A pond or lake geothermal heat pump system can be the ideal option for your home in the event that you have access an abundance of water. This kind of system functions similar to a vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump, but the water is used to heat and cooling instead of the earth. It is important to keep in mind that a system that utilizes lake loops or ponds will not work in the event of an electrical power failure. A backup generator needs to be installed to supply an electrical source during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is a reliable alternative to conventional methods. However, when making the switch homeowners must weigh the initial costs with total energy savings. Many factors are involved such as the soil’s composition and climate of the area. One of the most important decisions is whether to bury ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter option is less expensive, but may not provide the same level of efficiency.

A desuperheater transfer heat from geothermal heating systems to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to function in winter, when the cooling cycle of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater eliminates this waste heat and uses it to increase your home’s heating performance. It reduces your energy usage by using pre-existing resources.

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

In a climate that is dominated by heating, a desuperheater will save you up to 20% more than a conventional water heater during the summer. The desuperheater transforms the energy removed from the home during cooling into heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can supply hot water to homes for 3 to 5 months per year at a fraction the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater also comes in handy in winter, when the geothermal heating 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 enables the domestic hot water tank to use the energy that is free, and increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is a great way to reduce the amount of time that geothermal heating systems are in use when it’s in a location with a high heating demand.