Geothermal HVAC

In contrast to traditional HVAC systems that rely on natural gas, fuel oil propane or electricity geothermal offers two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth beneath the surface is relatively constant throughout the year.

A geothermal system is made up of a heatpump underground loops, and the distribution system. Learn more about the different components that make up this energy-efficient system:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the key to a geothermal system’s efficiency and durability. It is made up of pipes that are placed in the backyard, and then connected to your home’s heat pump. The piping will be filled with a water-based fluid and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat based on the requirements of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below surface level, which makes it a great energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is heating up, the liquid that transfers heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transmits that heat to the heating pump in your home. The fluid is then pushed into the loop, which is then able to circulate again. In cooling mode, the system uses the reverse process to remove the excess heat and return it back to the loop where it starts a new cycle.

In a closed-loop system, the piping will be filled with a solution made of water, and then buried underground. The solution is safe and non-toxic for the environment. It doesn’t pollute the water supply in underground. The system can use the pond, lake or other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is even more eco-friendly.

Depending on the available space Open and closed systems can be set up either vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require less trenches than a horizontal one and is less disruptive to your landscaping. It is ideal for areas in which soil depths are low or where existing landscaping needs to be preserved.

Regardless of the type of ground loop system you choose, it is important to choose an experienced installer. Geothermal systems require substantial amounts of energy to run and it is vital to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your system, and will help you save energy costs over the long term. It is important to flush the system frequently to remove any minerals which could affect the flow and effectiveness of the heat transfer liquid. GeoDoctor experts can help you choose the best system for your house.

Vertical Loop

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

The pipes that are buried store thermal energy that is transferred from the earth to your home. These pipes are a crucial component of any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of high-density polyethylene and circulate the mixture of propylene glycol and water which is a food grade antifreeze, throughout the system. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant, even a few feet below the surface. This allows the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems, such as gas furnaces and boilers.

The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench, or put into boreholes dug to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are usually used for larger properties with plenty of land and vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses or homes with limited space. The process of installing horizontal ground loops entails digging large trenches that require considerable time and effort. The ground must also be compacted to ensure that the loops remain fixed to the soil.

A vertical loop system is simpler to set up than a horizontal field. The service technician drills holes that are 4 inches in diameter and about 20 feet apart, and then installs the piping in order to create a closed loop. The number of holes you need will depend on the building’s dimensions and energy requirements.

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

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your house and the ground or the nearby body of water, rather than from the outdoor air. The reason for this is that the temperatures of the ground and the water is generally constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures that fluctuate. There are four main kinds of geothermal heating loops, and the one you choose to use depends on the size of your property as well as its layout. The type of loop you choose to use and the method of installation determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems utilize a series of pipes that are buried horizontally in trenches that are about four to six feet deep. The trenches are designed to accommodate three to four pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold, which is the central control unit. The manifold then sends hot and cool water to your home’s cooling and heating ductwork.

In the beginning, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches, which required a larger area of land to encase them. As technology advanced and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a single pipe back and forth various depths in trenches that were smaller could decrease space requirements and costs without losing performance. This led to the invention of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to a horizontal geothermal heat pump system for situations in which there is not enough land space available. It’s also a good alternative for homes situated in urban areas, where the topsoil is a bit thin, and there is not much space for horizontal loops. If your property is in an earthquake-prone zone and cannot support the horizontal loop, an alternative that is vertical may be the best option.

If you have a lot of water in your home lakes or ponds can be the ideal option 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 for cooling and heating, the water is used. Remember that the geothermal loop system that is based on the pond or lake is not functional in the event of a power outage. A backup generator needs to be installed to supply an electric source during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is an efficient alternative to conventional methods. However, when making the switch, homeowners must balance upfront costs against total energy savings. Many factors are involved including the soil’s composition and climate of the area. 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 may not offer the same level of efficiency.

A desuperheater transfer heat from a geothermal heating system to your home hot water tank. It is designed to work in winter, when the cooling cycle of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater takes this wasted heat and uses it to increase the efficiency of your home’s heating. It reduces your energy usage by using resources already in use.

The ideal design of a desuperheater dependent on several physical geometric, thermal, and variables. These include the spray water temperature as well as the angle of injection, as well as the design of the nozzle. These are all elements that can affect the performance and efficiency of the desuperheater.

In the summer, 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 removed from the home during the cooling process and converts it to useful heat for the hot water generator. This enables the geothermal system to produce domestic hot water for three months of the year at only a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater can also be useful during winter, when a geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device can add the additional heat generated by the cooling system to the domestic hot-water tank. This allows the domestic hot water tank to utilize this free energy, and increases the heating capacity of the system. Desuperheaters are also an excellent way to cut down on the time that a geothermal heating system is being used when it’s in a location that has a high demand for heating.