Geothermal HVAC

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

Geothermal systems consist up of a heatpump, underground loops and an distribution system. Learn more about the different components of this energy-efficient system:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is crucial to the durability and efficiency of a geothermal heating and cooling system. It is comprised of pipes that can be drilled, or even truncated in the backyard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The piping will be filled with a water-based fluid 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 heating, the liquid used to transfer heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transfers the heat to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed back to the loop, where it starts the process of circulating. In cooling mode, it uses the opposite process to remove the heat surplus. It returns it back to the loop in order to begin a new cycle.

In closed loop systems, the pipes are filled with a water-based product and is buried in the ground. The solution is safe and non-toxic for the environment. It doesn’t pollute underground water supplies. The system can also utilize the pond or lake to provide heat transfer fluid, making it more sustainable.

Depending on the available space, closed and open systems may be installed vertically or horizontally. The vertical system requires fewer trenches than horizontal systems and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is commonly employed in areas with low soil depths, or where existing landscaping must be preserved.

It is important to select an experienced installer, regardless of the type of system. It is important to have a reliable and well-designed system as geothermal systems use a significant amount of energy. A properly installed system will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system and will save you money on electricity bills in the long run. It is also critical to flush the system regularly to remove any mineral buildup that can reduce the flow of heat transfer fluid and impede the efficiency of the system. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to determine the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy from the Earth that is used to heat and cool buildings. The energy is harnessed using underground loops that absorb thermal energy and then transfer it to your building. The most popular type of geothermal system is known as vertical ground loop. This kind of system is commonly utilized in commercial and residential applications. This system uses a heat pump to transfer thermal energy from the earth into your office or home. In the summer, it reverses to provide cooling.

The heat energy that is transferred from the ground to your building is stored in a network of underground pipes. These pipes are an essential component of any geo-thermal hvac system. The tubes are made of high-density polyethylene. They move the mixture of water and propylene glycol, which is a food-grade antifreeze, throughout the system. The temperature of the soil or water remains relatively constant a few feet beneath the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system can be more efficient than other heating methods, like gas boilers and furnaces.

Loops can be installed in an excavation horizontally or into boreholes that are drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are ideal for large properties with lots of land whereas vertical boreholes work well for homes and businesses with limited space. The process of installing a horizontal ground loop involves digging a long trench that may take a considerable amount of time and effort. The ground must be compacted to ensure that the loops remain connected to the soil.

On the other side the vertical loop system can be constructed much faster and more easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician makes holes that are 4 inches in diameter, spaced about 20 feet apart. He then installs the pipe to create an enclosed circuit. The number of holes required will depend on the size of your structure and the energy needs.

To keep your geothermal cooling and heating system operating at peak performance it is crucial to properly maintain the loop fields. This means cleaning the loop fields and performing periodic bacteriological tests.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pump transfers energy between your home, the ground or a nearby body water instead of the air outside. This is due to the fact that the temperatures of water and ground remain relatively stable, compared to the fluctuating outdoor air temperature. The dimensions and layout of your property will determine which loop you employ. The type of loop you choose and the method of installation employed determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal systems use a series horizontal pipes buried in trenches between four and six feet in depth. 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 sends heated or chilled water into your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.

Initially, these pipes were buried in vertical trenches, which required more land space to surround the pipes. As technology advanced and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a longer single pipe back-and-forth at varying depths within shorter trenches decreased space requirements and cost without sacrificing performance. This led to the invention of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

A vertical ground loop system can be a great alternative to a horizontal geothermal heating system for situations in which there is not enough land area available. It’s also a great option for homes located in urban areas, where the topsoil is a bit thin and there isn’t enough space for horizontal loops. Vertical loops can be a good option if your property is in an earthquake-prone zone and is not able to support the horizontal loops.

A geothermal pond or lake pump can be the ideal option for your home if you have access to plenty of water. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump however instead of using the earth for cooling and heating the water is used. It’s important to remember that a geothermal system that uses lakes or ponds will not function in the event of an electrical power failure. Installing a backup generator can provide electricity during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a highly efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes time to switch, homeowners have to balance upfront costs with total energy savings. There are many factors to consider, including the soil composition and local climate. One of the most important choices is whether or not to put in ground loops or to use an external tank to store hot water. The latter is less expensive, but it won’t provide as much efficiency.

A desuperheater is an equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal system to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to work in winter, when the system’s cooling cycle produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater utilizes this heat to boost the efficiency of heating in your home. It lowers your energy use by using pre-existing resources.

The optimal design of a desuperheater is determined by a variety of physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These include the injection angle, temperature of the water spray, and the nozzle’s design. These are all elements that influence the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

During the summer months, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent more in a heating dominated climate than the conventional hot water heater. This is because the desuperheater makes use of the energy emitted by the house in the cooling process and converts it into useful heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can supply domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months per year, at a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also able to help in the winter when the geothermal system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device takes away the extra heat produced by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the domestic hot water tank to utilize this energy for free and also increases the heating capacity of the system. Desuperheaters are also an excellent way to cut down on the amount of time that a geothermal heating system is in use when it’s in a climate that has a large demand for heating.