Geothermal HVAC

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

A geothermal system is 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 key to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and durability. It is made up of pipes that can be drilled or slit in the yard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The pipes are then filled with a solution containing water that circulates to absorb or disperse heat according to your home’s needs. The temperature of the ground stays 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 the heat transfer fluid absorbs the earth’s heat and then transfers it to the heat pump within your house. The fluid is then pushed back to the loop where it begins the process of circulating. In cooling mode, it employs the reverse process to remove the excess heat. It then returns to the loop to begin a new cycle.

In a closed loop system, the piping will be filled with a solution based on water and then buried beneath. The solution is safe and non-toxic for the environment. It is not a pollutant to the water supply in underground. The system can also utilize a pond or lake as the source of heat transfer fluid, which is more eco-friendly.

Based on the space available depending 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 commonly used in areas with shallow soil depths, or where existing landscaping must be preserved.

No matter what type of ground loop system, it is important to choose a reliable installer. It is essential to have an efficient and well-designed system, since geothermal systems use a significant amount of energy. A properly installed system will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system, and saves you money on electric bills in the long run. It is crucial to flush the system frequently to eliminate any minerals that can reduce the flow and effectiveness of the heat transfer liquid. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to determine the best system for your home.

Vertical Loop

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

The pipes that are buried store the thermal energy that is transferred from the earth to your home. These pipes are an essential part of any geo-thermal HVAC system. The pipes are made of high-density polyethylene. They circulate the mixture of water and propylene glycol which is a food-grade antifreeze through the system. The temperature of the soil or water is almost constant just a few feet beneath the surface. This allows the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to work more efficiently than other heating systems, like gas furnaces or boilers.

These loops can either be inserted into an excavation horizontally or into boreholes that are drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches work best for large properties with lots of land while vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses and homes with little space. The installation process for horizontal ground loops involves digging a long trench that may take a considerable amount of time and effort. In addition, the ground must be compacted so that the loops are able to hold a solid grip on the soil.

A vertical loop system is much more straightforward to install than a horizontal field. The service technician digs holes that are 4 inches in diameter and 20 feet apart, and installs the piping in order to create an enclosed loop. The number of holes you need will depend on the size of your building and the energy needs.

It is vital to maintain the loop fields in order to keep your geothermal system operating at its top efficiency. This means removing any debris and conducting periodic tests for bacteriological health.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home, the ground or a nearby body of water instead of the air outside. The reason for this is that the temperatures of the ground and the water is fairly constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures that fluctuate. There are four major types of geothermal heating loops, and the one you use will depend on your property size and layout. The type of loop used and the method used to install it determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pumps make use of a set of pipes buried horizontally in trenches that are four to six feet deep. The trenches can accommodate up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to an amanifold that is the central control unit for the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold pumps heated or chilled water into your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.

In the beginning, these piping systems were placed in vertical trenches that required a larger amount of land to cover them. As technology improved, it was found that laying a single, longer pipe back and forth at various depths in trenches that were smaller could reduce the space required and cost without the loss of performance. This led to the creation of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

In cases where there isn’t enough space, a vertical ground loop system is a good alternative. It’s also a great alternative for homes in urban areas, where the topsoil is thin, and there is not much space for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system could also be the best solution if your property is in an earthquake-prone region and is not able to support an horizontal loop.

If you have a lot of water in your home lakes, ponds or ponds could be the ideal alternative for your home. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or a vertical ground loop geothermal heating system however instead of using earth to heat and cool, the water is used. Keep in mind that a geothermal loop system using the pond or lake will not function in the event of a 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. But when making the switch homeowners must weigh the initial costs with total energy savings. There are many factors to consider, including the soil composition and climate of the area. One of the most important choices is whether to put in ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter is more affordable, but it may not provide the same efficiency.

A desuperheater transfer heat from geothermal heating systems to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to operate during winter, when the cooling process of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater removes this waste heat and utilizes it to improve the efficiency of your home’s heating. It helps reduce your energy consumption by using resources already in use.

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

During the summer, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent more in a heating dominated climate than traditional hot water heaters. The desuperheater transforms the energy removed from the house during 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 less than the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater also comes in handy in the winter, when the geothermal heating system is at its lowest capacity. The device takes away the extra heat generated by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to utilize this energy free of charge and increase the system’s heating capacity. The desuperheater may also be used to decrease the amount of time geothermal systems are in operation in a heating dominated climate.