Geothermal HVAC

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

Geothermal systems are made up of a heatpump underground loops and an distribution system. Find out more about the various parts that make up this energy-efficient system:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the main element to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and longevity. It is made up of pipes that are either cut or drilled in the backyard and connected to the heat pump in your home. The pipes are then filled with a water-based fluid that circulates to absorb or disperse heat according to the needs of your home. The ground’s temperature is relatively constant from four to six feet below the surface, making it a natural source of energy for geothermal systems.

When the system is in heating mode in the heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs the Earth’s heat and then carries it to the heat pump within your home. The fluid is then pushed back to the loop where it begins the process of circulating. In cooling mode, the system uses the opposite process to eliminate the heat that is left and return it back to the loop, where it starts another cycle.

In a closed loop system, the pipe is filled with a water-based product and buried in the ground. The solution is non-toxic and safe for the environment. It does not pollute underground water sources. The system can also utilize lakes or ponds as the source of heat transfer fluid, making it more environmentally friendly.

Depending on the space available Open and closed systems can be installed horizontally or vertically. Vertical systems require fewer trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is used in areas in which soil depths are low or where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.

No matter what type of ground loop system you choose, it is important to choose an experienced installer. It is essential to have an efficient and well-designed system, since geothermal systems consume a lot of energy. A quality installation ensures the longevity of your geothermal system, and will save your money on electricity costs in the long run. It is also crucial to have the system flushed regularly to remove any mineral buildup. This could hinder the flow of heat transfer fluid and hinder system efficiency. GeoDoctor experts can help you determine the right system for your house.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy that comes from the Earth that is utilized to heat and cool buildings. It is harnessed using a series of underground loops which absorb the thermal energy and transfer it to the building. Vertical ground loops are the most popular geothermal system. This type of geothermal system is used most often in commercial and residential settings. The heat pump in this system takes the thermal energy from the ground and carries it to your home or office. In the summer, it works in reverse to provide cooling.

The buried pipes store the thermal energy that flows from the earth to your building. These pipes are a crucial element in any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of high-density polyethylene. They circulate an emulsion of water and propylene glycol, which is a food-grade antifreeze through the system. The temperature of the water or soil remains fairly constant for just a few feet below the surface. The closed loop geothermal system is more efficient than other heating methods like gas boilers or furnaces.

The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench or inserted into boreholes that are drilled to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are generally used for larger properties with plenty of land and vertical boreholes are ideally suited for homes or businesses that have little space. The installation process for horizontal ground loops entails digging extensive trenches that can take a lot of time and effort. Additionally the ground needs to be compacted to ensure that the loops are able to hold a solid grip on the soil.

On the other the other hand, a vertical loop system can be constructed much faster and more easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician digging holes that are 4 inches in diameter and about 20 feet apart, and installs the piping to create a closed loop. The number of holes needed will depend on the size of your building and the energy needs.

To keep your geothermal heating and cooling system at peak performance it is crucial to maintain the loop fields. This means cleaning the loop fields and conducting periodic testing for bacteriological issues.

Horizontal Loop

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

Horizontal geothermal systems make use of series horizontal pipes buried in trenches between four and six feet deep. The trenches can accommodate up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold which is the central control unit. The manifold pumps heated or cooled water to 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 and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a single longer pipe back and forth at varying depths in shorter trenches could help reduce the amount of space needed and also costs without losing performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of installing horizontal geothermal loops.

In situations where there isn’t enough land available, a vertical loop can be an ideal alternative. It is also an option for homes located in urban settings, where the topsoil is a bit thin and there isn’t any room for horizontal loops. If your property is in an earthquake-prone area and cannot support a horizontal loop system, the vertical loop could be the best choice.

If you have plenty of water, ponds or lakes can be the ideal 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. Keep in mind that a geothermal loop system that utilizes a lake or pond cannot function in the event of a power failure. Installing a backup generator can provide power during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal cooling and heating is a very efficient alternative to traditional methods. But when switching to geothermal homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs against the total savings on energy. Many factors are involved, including the soil composition and the local climate. But one of the biggest choices is whether to plant ground loops or use an external hot water tank. The latter is less expensive, however it may not provide as much efficiency.

A desuperheater can be described as a piece of equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal system into your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to operate during winter, when the cooling cycle of the system generates excessive heat. The desuperheater eliminates this waste heat and utilizes it to improve the efficiency of your heating system. It lowers your energy use by using pre-existing resources.

The optimal design of a desuperheater depends on several physical, thermal, and geometric variables. These factors include the injection angle, temperature of the water spray, and the nozzle design. These are all important aspects that affect the desuperheater’s operation and performance.

In a climate dominated by heating, a desuperheater will save you as much as 80% more than an ordinary water heater during the summer. This is because the desuperheater makes use of the energy that is emitted from the home during the cooling process and converts it into useful heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can provide domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months a year at a fraction the cost of alternative energy sources.

The desuperheater also comes in handy in winter, when the geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device removes the extra heat generated by the cooling system and adds it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to use this energy free of charge and increase the system’s heating capacity. The desuperheater could be used to cut down on the length of time the geothermal system is in operation in a climate that is dominated by heating.