Geothermal HVAC

Contrary to traditional HVAC systems that operate on fuel oil, natural gas, propane or electricity geothermal offers two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface remain pretty constant all year.

Geothermal systems consist of an underground heat pump, loops and a distribution network (such as air ducts). Learn more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

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

When the system is in heating mode in the heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs earth’s heat and carries it to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then returned to the loop, where it starts the process of circulating. In cooling mode, the system uses the reverse process to remove the heat surplus and return it to the loop, where it begins a new cycle.

In a closed-loop system, the piping is filled with a solution made of water and buried underground. The solution is safe and non-toxic to the environment, and doesn’t pollute the underground water supply. The system can be used to use the pond, lake or other body of water to provide heat transfer fluid. This is also eco-friendly.

Depending on the available space Open and closed systems may be installed horizontally or vertically. The vertical system requires fewer trenches than horizontal systems and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is commonly utilized in areas with shallow soil depths or where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.

It is important to select an experienced installer, regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require large amounts of energy to operate and it is vital to have a well-designed and efficient system in place. A quality installation will ensure the longevity of your system and help you save money on electricity in the long-term. It is crucial to flush the system frequently to remove any minerals that could reduce the flow and efficiency of the liquid used to transfer heat. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to select the best system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy originates from the Earth and is used to heat or cool buildings. It can be harnessed by underground loops that absorb thermal energy and then transfer it into your building. Vertical ground loops are the most popular geothermal system. This kind of system is most commonly employed in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system takes the heat energy from the ground and carries it to your office or home. In the summer, it operates in reverse to provide cooling.

The buried pipes store the thermal energy that transfers from the earth to your house. These pipes are a key component of any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of high-density Polyethylene and circulate water and propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant, even a few feet below the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system can be more efficient than other heating methods such as gas boilers and furnaces.

These loops can be installed in a horizontal trench, or put into boreholes made to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are typically used for larger properties with a lot of available land, while vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses or homes with small spaces. The process of installing horizontal ground loops involves digging a long trench that may take a lot of time and effort. In addition, the ground must be compacted to ensure the loops have a firm hold on the soil.

On the other side the vertical loop system can be installed much more quickly and easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician drills holes of 4 inches in diameter spaced 20 feet apart. Then, he installs the pipe to create an enclosed circuit. The number of holes needed will depend on the size of your structure and the energy requirements.

It is vital to maintain the loop fields to keep your geothermal system functioning at its top efficiency. This means removing any debris and conducting regular bacteriological testing.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your house and the ground or the nearby body of water, rather than from the outdoor air. This is due to the fact that the temperatures of water and ground remain relatively stable, unlike the fluctuating outdoor temperature. The size and layout of your property will determine which loop you make use of. The type of loop you choose to use and the installation method determine the efficiency and effectiveness your geothermal system.

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

In the beginning, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches, which required a larger expanse of land to encase them. As technology advanced and technology improved, it was discovered that laying a single, longer pipe back and forth different depths in smaller trenches could reduce space requirements and costs without losing performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of installing horizontal geothermal loops.

In cases where there isn’t enough land available, a vertical loop 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 enough space for horizontal loops. If your property is in an earthquake-prone zone and cannot support an horizontal loop system, an alternative that is vertical might be the best option.

If you have a lot of water lakes, ponds or ponds could be a great alternative for your home. This kind of system functions exactly like a vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump, except the water is used for heating and cooling, not the earth. Keep in mind that the geothermal loop system that is based on lakes or ponds will not function in the event of power outage. A backup generator must be installed to provide a source of electricity during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is a reliable alternative to conventional methods. However, when switching to geothermal, homeowners must balance upfront costs against total savings on energy. There are a variety of aspects to consider such as the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important decisions is whether to bury ground loops or use an external hot water tank. The latter option is less expensive but may not provide the same efficiency.

A desuperheater is an equipment used to transfer heat from a geothermal system to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to function in the winter months when the cooling process of the system generates excess heat. The desuperheater utilizes this wasted heat to boost the heating efficiency of your home. It helps reduce your energy consumption by using pre-existing resources.

The ideal design for desuperheaters is determined by several physical, thermal, and geometric variables. These include the angle of injection, the temperature of the spray water, and the nozzle’s design. These are all aspects that can influence the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

In a climate dominated heating, a desuperheater will save you as much as 80percent more than an ordinary water heater during the summer. This is because the desuperheater uses the energy that is emitted from 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 also comes in handy in winter, when a geothermal heating system is operating 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 enables the domestic hot water tank to use this free energy, and also 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 that has a large demand for heating.