Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a system that can provide heating and cooling. The temperature of the earth below the surface is fairly constant throughout the year.

A geothermal system consists of an underground heat pump, loops and a distribution system (such as air ducts). Learn more about this efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

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

When the system is heating up, the liquid used to transfer heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transfers that heat to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then transferred to the loop where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, the system utilizes the opposite process to eliminate the heat surplus and return it back to the loop, where it starts the next cycle.

In a closed loop system the pipes are filled with a water-based solution, and then buried in the ground. The solution is safe and non-toxic for the environment. It is not a pollutant to underground water supplies. The system can also utilize lakes or ponds as a source of heat transfer fluid, which is more sustainable.

Based on the space available Open and closed systems may be installed either vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require fewer trenches than horizontal systems and is less disruptive to your landscaping. It is used in areas where soil depths are shallow or when existing landscaping needs to be maintained.

It is important to select an experienced installer, regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require a lot of energy to run and it is vital to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A quality installation will ensure the durability of your system and help you save energy costs over the long term. It is also crucial to flush the system frequently to eliminate any mineral buildup. This could hinder the flow of the heat transfer fluid and reduce system efficiency. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to select the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy from the Earth that is used to cool and heat buildings. This energy is harnessed by using a series of underground loops that absorb thermal energy and transfer it to your building. Vertical ground loops are the most common geothermal system. This kind of system is used most often in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system takes the heat energy from the ground and carries it to your office or home. In the summer, it reverses to provide cooling.

The buried pipes store the thermal energy that transfers from the earth to your house. These pipes are an essential part of any geo-thermal HVAC system. The pipes are made of high-density Polyethylene and circulate water and propylene glycol, which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant, even just a few feet below 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 the horizontal direction of a trench or placed in boreholes drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches work best for large properties with lots of land, while vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses and homes with limited space. The process of installing horizontal ground loops entails digging large trenches that require considerable time and effort. The ground is also to be compacted to ensure that the loops remain attached to 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, and installs the piping to create an enclosed loop. The number of holes required will depend on the dimensions of your building as well as the energy requirements.

It is vital to keep the loop fields in good condition in order to keep your geothermal system functioning at its best. This includes cleaning the loop fields as well as performing periodic testing for bacteriological issues.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your house and the ground or the nearby body of water, and not being able to draw energy from the air outside. This is because temperatures in the ground and in the water remain relatively stable, compared to the fluctuating outdoor air temperature. The dimensions and layout of your property will determine the type of 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 systems make use of series horizontal pipes buried in trenches between four and six feet deep. 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 is a conduit for heated or cooled water to your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.

Originally, these piping system were placed in vertical trenches that required a larger amount of land to surround them. As technology improved it was realized that layering a single pipe back and forth at different depths within smaller trenches could reduce the space required and cost, without necessarily losing performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of installing horizontal geothermal loops.

A vertical ground loop system is an excellent alternative to a horizontal geothermal heat pump system in situations where there isn’t enough land available. It can also be an option for homes situated in urban areas, where the topsoil is a bit thin and there isn’t any room for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system can be the ideal solution for properties that are located in an earthquake-prone area and cannot support the horizontal loops.

If you have lots of water in your home lakes, ponds or ponds could be an excellent option for your home. This kind of system is similar to a horizontal or a vertical ground loop geothermal heating system however instead of using earth for heating and cooling it uses water to heat and cool. Remember that a geothermal loop system using a lake or pond is not functional in the event of a power failure. A backup generator should be installed to supply an electrical source during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is an efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to switching homeowners must balance upfront costs with total savings on energy. There are many factors to consider such as the soil’s composition and the local climate. One of the most important choices is whether or not to bury ground loops, or use an external tank for hot water. The latter option is cheaper, but it might not offer the same efficiency.

A desuperheater transfer 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 excess heat. The desuperheater takes this wasted heat and uses it to increase your home’s heating performance. It also reduces your energy consumption by utilizing pre-existing resources.

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

During the summer, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent more in a climate with a high degree of heating than a conventional hot water heater. The desuperheater converts the energy that is removed from the home through cooling into heat for the hot-water generator. This enables the geothermal system to make domestic hot water for three months of the year at a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also useful during winter months, when a geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device can add the additional heat produced by the cooling system to the domestic hot water tank. This enables the domestic hot water tank to utilize this free energy, and increases 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.