Geothermal HVAC

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

Geothermal systems are made of a heatpump, underground loops, and the distribution system. Learn more about this efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is vital to the effectiveness and longevity of geothermal heating and cooling system. It consists of pipes that are cut or drilled in the backyard and connected to the heat pump in your home. The pipes are then filled with a solution containing water that circulates to absorb or disperse heat in accordance with your home’s needs. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below the surface, which makes it an ideal energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is in heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs Earth’s heat and then carries it to the heat pump within your home. The fluid is then transferred to the loop which then starts to circulate. In cooling mode, it uses the opposite process to remove the excess heat. It then returns back to the loop in order to begin a new cycle.

In a closed loop system, the piping is filled with a solution based on water and then buried beneath. The solution is safe and non-toxic for the environment. It doesn’t pollute the water supply in underground. The system can also use a pond or lake as a source of heat transfer fluid, making it more eco-friendly.

Based on the space available Open and closed systems can be set up either vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require less trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is typically used in areas with shallow soil depths or where existing landscaping must be preserved.

Regardless of the type of ground loop system you choose, it is crucial to select an experienced installer. Geothermal systems require a lot of energy to operate, and it is crucial to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system and saves you money on electricity bills in the long run. It is also critical to flush the system frequently to eliminate any mineral buildup that could hinder the flow of the heat transfer fluid and hinder the efficiency of the system. GeoDoctor experts can help you select the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

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

The pipes that are buried store thermal energy that flows from the earth to your building. These pipes are an essential element in any geo thermal HVAC system. The pipes are made from high-density polyethylene and circulate a mixture of water and propylene glycol which is a food grade antifreeze, throughout the system. The temperature of soil or water is fairly constant for a few feet beneath the surface. This allows the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems, such as gas furnaces and boilers.

These loops can be placed in a horizontal trench or inserted into boreholes that are made to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are ideal for large properties with lots of land, vertical boreholes are suitable for businesses and homes with little space. Installation of a horizontal ground-loop involves digging trenches, which could require a lot of time and effort. In addition the ground has to be compacted to ensure the loops are able to hold a solid grip on the soil.

On the other the other hand the vertical loop system can be constructed quicker and with less effort than a horizontal loop field. The technician makes holes that are 4 inches in diameter, separated by 20 feet. Then, he installs the pipe to form an enclosed circuit. The number of holes needed will be determined by your building’s size and the energy requirements.

It is essential to maintain the loop fields in order to keep your geothermal system running at its peak. This includes cleaning up debris and conducting periodic bacteriological testing.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer 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, in contrast to the fluctuating temperature of outdoor air. There are four main types of geothermal heating loops, and which one you use will depend on the size of your property and layout. The type of loop used and the installation method used determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems utilize a series of pipes buried horizontally within trenches that range from four to six feet deep. The trenches are designed to accommodate three to four pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to an amanifold that is the central control unit for the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold is a conduit for heated or cooled water into your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.

Originally, these piping system were installed in vertical trenches, which required a larger amount of land to encase them. As technology developed, it was discovered that layering a longer single pipe back and forth at different depths within shorter trenches decreased the space required and cost, without sacrificing performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.

In situations where there’s not enough space, a vertical ground loop system can be an option. It can also be an option for homes in urban settings, in which the topsoil is scarce and there isn’t any space for horizontal loops. If your property is located in an earthquake-prone region and cannot support a horizontal loop system, an alternative that is vertical could be the best choice.

If you have lots of water available lakes, ponds or ponds could be an excellent option for your home. This type of system works similar to a vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump, but the water is used to heat and cooling, instead of the earth. It’s important to remember that a system that utilizes lake loops or ponds will not work in the event of a power failure. Installing a backup generator will supply electricity during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is an efficient alternative to conventional methods. But when making the switch, homeowners must balance upfront costs against the total energy savings. There are many aspects to consider such as the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to dig ground loops or to use an external tank to store hot water. The latter is less expensive, but may not offer the same efficiency.

A desuperheater transfers heat from geothermal heating systems to your hot water tank. It is designed to work in winter when the cooling cycle of the system generates excessive heat. The desuperheater eliminates this waste heat and uses it to increase your home’s heating performance. It also reduces the energy use by utilizing existing sources.

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

In a climate dominated heating, a desuperheater can save you as much as 20% more than a traditional water heater in the summer. The desuperheater converts the energy that is removed from the house through cooling into heat for the hot-water generator. This enables the geothermal system to produce domestic hot water for 3-5 months of the year, at less than the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also able to help in winter when the geothermal system is running at its lowest capacity. The device eliminates the excess heat produced by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to use this free energy and maximizes the system’s heating capacity. The desuperheater is also an excellent way to cut down on the amount of time a geothermal heating system is being used when it’s in a climate that has a high demand for heating.