Geothermal HVAC

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

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

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is vital to the effectiveness and longevity of geothermal cooling and heating system. It consists of pipes that are cut or drilled in the backyard, and then connected to the heat pump in your home. The piping is filled with a water-based fluid and circulated to absorb or distribute heat based on the needs of your home. The ground’s temperature is relatively constant from four to six feet below the surface, which makes it a natural source of energy for geothermal systems.

When the system is in heating mode the heat transfer fluid absorbs the Earth’s heat and carries it to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then transferred to the loop which then starts to circulate. In cooling mode, it uses the opposite process to remove the excess heat. It then returns to the loop to start 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 non-toxic for the environment. It doesn’t pollute underground water supplies. The system can also use lakes or ponds to provide heat transfer fluid, which is more environmentally friendly.

Based on the space available Open and closed systems may be installed vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require fewer trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is typically employed in areas with low soil depths or where existing landscaping must be preserved.

It is crucial to choose an experienced installer regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require substantial amounts of energy to operate and it is essential to have a well-designed and efficient system in place. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system and will save you money on electric bills in the long run. It is crucial to flush the system regularly to eliminate any minerals that could reduce the flow and efficiency of the heat transfer liquid. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to choose the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

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

The heat energy that is transferred from the ground to your house is stored in a series of underground pipes. These pipes are a key component of any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of Polyethylene with high density and circulate water and propylene glycol, which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water remains almost constant just only 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 be installed in a horizontal trench, or placed into boreholes that are made to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are generally utilized for larger properties that have a lot of available land and vertical boreholes are ideally suited for homes or businesses with limited space. The installation process for horizontal ground loops entails digging large trenches that take a lot of time and effort. The ground must also be compacted in order to ensure that the loops are firmly connected to the soil.

A vertical loop system is more straightforward to install than a horizontal field. The technician digs holes that are 4 inches in diameter spaced 20 feet apart. Then, he installs the pipe to form an enclosed circuit. The number of holes needed will be determined by your building’s size and the energy requirements.

To keep your geothermal heating and cooling system operating at peak performance It is essential to maintain the loop fields. This involves cleaning the loop fields as well as performing periodic tests for bacteriology.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and the ground or the nearby body of water, rather than being able to draw energy from the air outside. The reason is that the temperature of the ground and the water is fairly constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. There are four major types of geothermal heating loops and which one you use will depend on the size of your property and layout. The type of loop used and the method of installation employed determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems make use of a set of pipes buried horizontally in trenches that are about four to six feet deep. The trenches can accommodate up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold which is the geothermal heat pump’s central control unit. The manifold then delivers chilled and heated water to your home’s cooling and heating ductwork.

In the beginning, these pipes were buried in vertical trenches which required a larger space to surround the pipes. As technology improved it was realized that layering a single pipe back and forth at different depths within shorter trenches reduced the space required and cost, without necessarily sacrificed performance. This led to the creation of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

In situations where there’s not enough space, a vertical ground loop can be an option. It is also an option for homes situated in urban areas in which the topsoil is scarce and there is little if any room for horizontal loops. If your property is in an earthquake-prone area and is unable to support an horizontal loop system, an alternative that is vertical might be the best option.

A geothermal pond or lake pump can be the ideal option for your home when you have access to an ample amount of water. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump, but instead of using the earth for cooling and heating, the water is used. It’s important to remember that a geothermal system using lakes or ponds is not functional in the event of an electrical power failure. A backup generator needs to be installed to provide an electric source during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a highly efficient alternative to conventional methods. But when making the switch, homeowners must balance upfront costs against total savings on energy. There are a myriad of aspects to consider including the local climate and soil’s composition. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to bury ground loops, or install an external tank for hot water. The latter option is less expensive, but it may not provide as much efficiency.

A desuperheater transfer heat from a geothermal heating system to your home hot water tank. It is designed to function in the winter when the cooling cycle of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater utilizes this wasted heat to boost the heating performance of your home. It reduces your energy usage by using resources already in use.

The optimal design of desuperheaters is determined by several physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These variables include the spray temperature and the angle of the injection, and the shape of the nozzle. These are all elements that can affect the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

During the summer, desuperheaters can save up to 80 percent in a climate that is dominated by heating than a conventional hot water heater. This is due to the fact that the desuperheater utilizes the energy emitted by the house during 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 a year, at a fraction of the cost of alternative energy sources.

The desuperheater also comes in handy during winter, when the geothermal heating system is 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 make use of the energy that is free, and increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is an excellent way to cut down on the amount of time geothermal heating systems are operating when it’s in a place that has a high demand for heating.