Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a two-in-one system that can provide heating and cooling. The temperatures of the earth below the surface are 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 efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is crucial to the efficiency and durability of a geothermal heating and cooling system. It is comprised of pipes that are either placed in the yard and connect to your home’s heat pump. The piping is filled with a water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground stays constant four to six feet below the surface, making it an ideal energy source for a geothermal system.

When the system is heating, the heat transfer liquid absorbs heat from the earth. It then transmits that heat to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed back into the loop, where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, it uses the opposite method to eliminate the heat surplus. It then returns back to the loop in order to begin the next cycle.

In a closed loop system, the pipe is filled with a water-based product and 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 use lakes or ponds to provide heat transfer fluid, making it more environmentally friendly.

Both closed and open systems can be horizontal or vertical depending on the space you require. The vertical system requires fewer trenches than a horizontal system and reduces disturbance to your landscaping. It is ideal for areas where soil depths are low or in areas where existing landscaping must be maintained.

Regardless of the type of ground loop system, it is important to choose an experienced installer. Geothermal systems require large amounts of energy to operate, and it is crucial to have a well-designed and efficient system in place. 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 also critical to have the system flushed regularly to remove any mineral buildup. This can reduce the flow of the heat transfer fluid and hinder the efficiency of the system. GeoDoctor experts can help you determine the right system for your house.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is derived from the Earth and is utilized to cool or heat buildings. The energy is harnessed using a series of underground loops that absorb thermal energy and transfer it to your building. The most common type of geothermal system can be called vertical ground loop. This kind of system is commonly used in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system absorbs the thermal energy from the ground and transfers it to your office or home. In summer, it works in reverse to provide cooling.

The thermal energy that is transferred from the ground to your home is stored in a series of underground pipes. These pipes are an essential part of any geo-thermal hvac system. The tubes are made from high-density Polyethylene and circulate water as well as propylene glycol, which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water remains fairly constant at only a few feet beneath the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system is more efficient than other heating methods, such as gas boilers and furnaces.

Loops can be installed in a trench horizontally or inserted into boreholes that are drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches work best for large properties with lots of land, vertical boreholes are suitable for homes and businesses with small spaces. The installation of a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches that can take a lot of time and effort. The ground is also to be compacted in order to ensure that the loops are securely fixed to 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 to create a closed loop. The number of holes required will depend on the building’s size and the energy requirements.

To keep your geothermal heating and cooling system at peak performance, it is important to maintain the loop fields. This includes removing debris and conducting periodic tests for bacteriological health.

Horizontal Loop

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

Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems use a series of pipes that are buried horizontally in trenches that are four to six feet deep. The trenches are constructed to accommodate two to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold, which is the geothermal heat pump’s central control unit. The manifold then delivers chilled and heated water to your home’s cooling and heating ductwork.

Initially, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches which required a larger amount of land to encase them. As technology improved and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a longer single pipe back and forth at different depths within shorter trenches reduced the space required and cost, without losing performance. This led to the creation of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

In situations where there’s not enough land available, a vertical loop system is a good alternative. It can also be an option for homes located in urban areas where topsoil is thin and there isn’t any space for horizontal loops. If your property is located in an earthquake-prone area and cannot support the horizontal loop, an alternative that is vertical may be the best option.

A geothermal pond or lake pump system can be the ideal option for your home in the event that you have access plenty of water. This type of system works exactly like vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pumps, except the water is used for heating and cooling instead of the earth. It is crucial to note that a geothermal system using a pond or lake loop is not functional in the event of a power failure. A backup generator must be installed to provide a source of electricity during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods. But when it comes to switching to geothermal homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs against the total savings on energy. Many factors are involved such as the soil’s 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 option is less expensive but might not offer the same efficiency.

A desuperheater transfers heat from geothermal heating systems to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to work in winter when the cooling process of the system generates excessive heat. The desuperheater removes this waste heat and uses it to boost your home’s heating performance. It also reduces your energy consumption by using existing sources.

The ideal design for desuperheaters is determined by several physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These variables include the injection angle, the temperature of the water spray, and the nozzle design. These are all factors that can influence the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

In a climate dominated heating, a desuperheater will save you up to 80percent more than a conventional water heater during the summer. This is because the desuperheater uses the energy removed from the house in the cooling process and converts it to useful heat for the hot water generator. The geothermal system can provide hot water to homes for 3 to 5 months per year, at a fraction of the cost of alternative energy sources.

The desuperheater can also help during winter, when a geothermal system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device takes away the extra heat generated by the cooling system and then adds it to the domestic hot water tank. This enables the domestic hot water tank to make use of the energy that is free, and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is also an effective way to reduce the time that geothermal heating systems are in use when it’s in a location with a high heating demand.