Geothermal HVAC

Unlike traditional HVAC systems that rely on natural gas, fuel oil propane, electricity or fuel oil, geothermal provides two-in-one heating and cooling. The temperatures of the earth below the surface stay fairly constant throughout the year.

A geothermal system is comprised 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 the most important element to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and long-lasting. It is comprised of pipes that can be drilled, or even truncated in the yard to connect with your home’s heat pumps. The pipes will be filled with a water-based solution and 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 surface level, making it a great energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is heating, the liquid used to transfer heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transfers the heat to the heat pump in your home. The fluid is then pushed into the loop, which is then able to circulate again. In cooling mode, it utilizes the opposite process to remove the excess heat. It then returns it to the loop to start a new cycle.

In a closed loop system, the pipe is filled with a water-based solution and placed in the ground. The solution is safe for the environment. It doesn’t pollute underground water sources. The system can also use the pond or lake as the source of heat transfer fluid, making it more sustainable.

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 often used in areas where soil depths are low or when existing landscaping needs to be maintained.

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 quality installation will ensure the longevity of your system and help you save money on electricity in the long run. It is also essential to flush the system regularly to remove any mineral buildup. This can reduce the flow of the heat transfer fluid and reduce the efficiency of the system. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to choose the best system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy from the Earth that is used to cool and heat buildings. The energy is harnessed using a series of underground loops that absorb the thermal energy and transfer it to the building. Vertical ground loops are the most popular geothermal system. This kind of system is used most often in residential and commercial applications. This system uses an energy pump to transfer thermal energy from the earth into your office or home. In the summer it reverses to provide cooling.

The pipes that are buried store the thermal energy that transfers from the earth to your home. These pipes are an essential component of any geo-thermal HVAC system. The tubes are made from Polyethylene with high density and circulate water and propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water is relatively constant a few feet beneath the surface. This allows the closed loop geothermal heat pump to work more efficiently than other heating systems such as gas furnaces and boilers.

The loops can be installed in the horizontal direction of a trench or placed in boreholes that are drilled from to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are best suited for large estates with lots of land whereas vertical boreholes work well for businesses and homes with little space. The installation process for a horizontal ground loop involves digging extensive trenches that can take a considerable amount of time and effort. In addition the ground has to be compacted so that the loops have a strong hold on the soil.

On the other side the vertical loop system can be installed quicker and with less effort than a horizontal loop field. The service technician drills holes that are 4 inches in diameter and approximately 20 feet apart, and installs the piping in order to create a closed loop. The number of holes you need will depend on the dimensions of your building as well as the energy requirements.

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

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and ground or nearby bodies of water, and not taking energy from the outside air. The reason for this is that the temperatures of the ground and water are fairly constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures that fluctuate. The dimensions and layout of your property will determine which loop you employ. The type of loop used and the installation method determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal system.

Horizontal geothermal systems use a series of horizontal pipes that are buried in trenches between four and six feet deep. The trenches are designed to accommodate two to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold which is the central control unit of geothermal heat pumps. The manifold sends heated or chilled water into your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.

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

A vertical ground loop system is an excellent alternative to a horizontal geothermal heating system for situations in which there is not enough land area available. It can also be an option for homes located in urban settings, in which the topsoil is scarce and there is little if any room for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system could be a good option if your property is in an earthquake-prone zone and is not able to support a horizontal system.

A geothermal lake or pond heat pump can be the best option for your home when you have access to plenty of water. This type of system works exactly like a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heat pump however, the water is used for heating and cooling, not the earth. Keep in mind that a geothermal loop system that utilizes a lake or pond cannot function in the event of power failure. Installing a backup generator can provide electricity during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a very efficient alternative to traditional methods. When it comes time to switch homeowners must consider balancing the initial costs with the energy savings in the long run. Many factors are involved such as the soil’s composition and climate of the area. One of the most important choices is whether or not to dig ground loops or to use an external tank to store hot water. The latter option is less expensive but might not offer 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 the winter when the cooling process of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater uses this waste heat to increase the heating efficiency of your home. It reduces your energy usage by using existing resources.

The ideal design of a desuperheater dependent on several physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These include the temperature of the spray water and the angle of the injection, and the shape of the nozzle. These are all crucial factors that affect the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

In the summer, a desuperheater can save up to 80 percent in a climate that is dominated by heating than the conventional hot water heater. The desuperheater converts the energy removed from the house through cooling into 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 able to help during winter, when the geothermal system is operating at its smallest capacity. The device removes the extra heat generated by the cooling system and then adds it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to utilize this free energy and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater can even be used to reduce the time that geothermal systems are in operation in a heating dominated climate.