Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a dual-purpose system that can provide both cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface are relatively consistent year-round.

A geothermal system consists of a heat pump, underground loops and a distribution network (such as air ducts). Find out more about the various components that make up this energy-efficient system:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the most important element to a geothermal system’s efficiency and durability. It is made up of pipes that are either placed in the backyard, and then connected to your home’s heat pump. The pipes 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 stays constant from four to six feet below the surface, making it a natural source of energy for a geothermal system.

When the system is in heating mode the heat transfer fluid absorbs the heat from the earth and then carries it to the heat pump inside your house. The fluid is then returned to the loop where it begins the process of circulating. In cooling mode, it utilizes the opposite process to remove the heat surplus. It then returns to the loop to begin the next cycle.

In a closed loop system, the pipes are filled with a water-based product and is buried in the ground. The solution is non-toxic and safe for the environment. It doesn’t pollute underground water supplies. The system can utilize the pond, lake or any other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is even more environmentally friendly.

Open and closed systems can be horizontal or vertical, depending on the space you require. 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 needs to be preserved.

It is essential to choose an experienced installer regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require substantial amounts of energy to operate, and it is crucial to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A properly installed system will ensure the durability of your system, and will help you save money on electricity in the long run. It is crucial to flush the system regularly to eliminate any minerals that could reduce the flow and efficiency of the liquid used to transfer heat. A GeoDoctor expert can help you choose the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

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

The pipes that are buried store the thermal energy that flows from the earth to your building. These pipes are a key element of any geo thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of Polyethylene with high density and circulate water and propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of soil or water stays almost constant just a few feet beneath the surface. This enables the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems, like gas furnaces and boilers.

These loops can be placed in a horizontal trench or put into boreholes made to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are best suited for large homes with lots of land, vertical boreholes are suitable for businesses and homes with little space. The installation process for horizontal ground loops entails digging a long trench that may take a considerable amount of time and effort. Additionally, the ground must be compacted so that the loops have a firm hold on the soil.

A vertical loop system is easier to install than a horizontal field. The service technician drills holes that are 4 inches in diameter and approximately 20 feet apart, then installs the piping to form an enclosed loop. The number of holes you need will depend on the dimensions of your building as well as the energy requirements.

To ensure that your geothermal cooling and heating system running at its peak, it is important to properly maintain the loop fields. This includes removing debris and conducting regular bacteriological testing.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pump transfers energy between your home, the ground, or a nearby body of water instead of the air outside. The reason is that the temperatures of the ground and water is relatively constant, unlike outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. There are four major types of geothermal heating loops and which one you use will depend on the size of your property as well as its layout. The type of loop you choose and the method of installation employed determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal systems use a series horizontal pipes placed in trenches that are between four and six feet in depth. The trenches are designed to accommodate three to four pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to the manifold, which is the central control unit of geothermal heat pumps. The manifold is a conduit for heated or cooled water to your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.

Originally, these pipes were installed in vertical trenches which required a larger area to encase the pipes. As technology advanced and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a single pipe back and forth at different depths within shorter trenches decreased costs and space requirements without necessarily losing performance. This is the reason for the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.

In situations where there’s not enough land, a vertical ground loop system can be an ideal alternative. It can also be an option for homes situated in urban areas where the topsoil is a bit thin and there isn’t any space for horizontal loops. If your home is in an earthquake-prone area and is unable to support a horizontal loop system, the vertical loop might be the best option.

A pond or lake geothermal heat pump system can be the best option for your home if you have access to plenty of water. This kind of system is similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump, but instead of using the earth to heat and cool it uses water to heat and cool. It is crucial to note that a geothermal system that uses lake loops or ponds will not work in the event of a power outage. A backup generator needs to be installed to provide an electric source during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a highly efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes time to switch homeowners must balance the initial costs with the total savings on energy. Many factors are involved including the soil’s composition and the 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 option is less expensive, but may not offer the same efficiency.

A desuperheater can be described as a piece of equipment used to transfer heat from a geothermal source into your hot water tank in your home. It is designed to operate during winter, when the cooling process of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater takes this wasted heat and uses it to boost the efficiency of your home’s heating. It can also cut down on your energy usage by utilizing pre-existing resources.

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

In the summer, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent more in a heating dominated climate than a conventional hot water heater. This is because the desuperheater uses the energy emitted by the house in the cooling process and converts it into useful heat for the hot water generator. This allows the geothermal system to create domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months of the year at only a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater can also be useful during winter months, when a geothermal heating system is 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 utilize this energy free of charge and increase the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater can even be used to cut down on the amount of time geothermal systems are in operation in a climate that is dominated by heating.