Geothermal HVAC

Unlike traditional HVAC systems that operate on natural gas, fuel oil propane or electricity, geothermal provides two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface remain relatively consistent year-round.

Geothermal systems are made up of a heatpump underground loops and a distribution system. Learn more about the different parts 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 comprised of pipes that can be drilled or slit in the backyard to connect with your home’s heat pumps. The piping is filled with water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the requirements of your home. The temperature of the ground is relatively constant between four and six feet below surface level, making it a great energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is heating, the liquid used to transfer heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then carries that heat to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then moved into the loop which then starts to circulate. In cooling mode, the system employs the opposite process to eliminate the heat that is left and return it to the loop, where it begins a new cycle.

In a closed loop system, the pipes are filled with a water-based solution and buried in the ground. The solution is safe and non-toxic to the environment, and does not affect the water supply in underground. The system can also utilize the pond or lake to provide heat transfer fluid, which is more eco-friendly.

Depending on the space available Open and closed systems can be set up horizontally or vertically. The vertical system requires fewer trenches than a horizontal one and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is commonly used in areas with shallow soil depths or where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.

Whatever the kind of ground loop system you choose, it is crucial to select an experienced installer. It is important to have a reliable and well-designed system, since geothermal systems consume a lot of energy. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system and saves your money on electricity costs in the long term. It is also crucial to flush the system regularly to remove any mineral buildup. This can hinder the flow of the heat transfer fluid and reduce the efficiency of the system. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to select the best system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy comes from the Earth and is utilized to cool or heat buildings. It is harnessed using underground loops that absorb the thermal energy and then transfer it to your building. The most common type of geothermal system is called a vertical ground loop. This kind of geothermal system is used most often in residential and commercial applications. The heat pump in this system captures the heat energy from the ground and then transfers it to your office or home. In summer, it reverses to provide cooling.

The pipes that are buried store the thermal energy that flows from the earth to your home. These pipes are an essential part of any geo-thermal hvac system. The tubes are made from Polyethylene with high density and circulate water as well as propylene glycol which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the water or soil remains fairly constant, even only a few feet beneath the surface. This allows the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to work more efficiently than other heating systems like gas furnaces and boilers.

Loops can be placed in a trench horizontally or inserted into boreholes that are drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are ideal for large estates with lots of land whereas vertical boreholes work well for businesses and homes with small spaces. The installation of a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches, which could require a lot of time and effort. The ground must be compacted in order to ensure that the loops remain connected to the soil.

On the other hand the vertical loop system can be installed quicker and with less effort than a horizontal loop field. The technician digging holes that are 4 inches in diameter and approximately 20 feet apart, then installs the piping to create an enclosed loop. The number of holes needed will be determined by your building’s size and the energy requirements.

It is crucial to maintain the loop fields to keep your geothermal system operating at its top efficiency. This means removing any debris and conducting regular tests for bacteriological issues.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home, the ground or a nearby body water instead of the air outside. The reason for this is that the temperatures of the ground and water are relatively constant, unlike outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. The dimensions and layout of your property will determine which loop to make use of. The type of loop you choose to use and the installation method determine the effectiveness and efficiency 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 can hold up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected into the manifold, which is the central control unit for geothermal heat pumps. The manifold is then able to send hot and cool water to your home’s cooling and heating ductwork.

Originally, these pipes were installed in vertical trenches which required a larger space to surround the pipes. As technology improved, it was found that layering a single longer pipe back and forth at various depths in trenches that were smaller could decrease space requirements and costs without losing performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.

In situations where there isn’t enough land, a vertical ground loop system is a good alternative. It can also be an option for homes situated in urban areas where topsoil is thin and there isn’t any space for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system can be the ideal solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone region and is not able to support the horizontal loops.

If you have plenty of water in your home, ponds or lakes can be the ideal option for your home. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or a vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump however, instead of using earth to heat and cool it uses water to heat and cool. It is crucial to note that a geothermal system that uses a pond or lake loop will not function in the event of a power outage. A backup generator should be installed to supply an electrical source during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a very efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to making the switch, homeowners have to balance the initial costs with the energy savings in the long run. There are a myriad of factors that come into play, including the local climate and soil’s composition. But one of the biggest choices is whether to put in ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter is less expensive, but it won’t provide the same efficiency.

A desuperheater is a piece of equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal source into your hot water tank in your home. It is designed to operate in the winter months when the cooling process of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater eliminates this waste heat and utilizes it to improve the efficiency of your home’s heating. It also reduces the energy use by using 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 water spray, and the nozzle design. These are all elements that affect the performance and efficiency of the desuperheater.

During the summer, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent more in a climate that is dominated by heating than the conventional hot water heater. The desuperheater converts the energy that is taken from the house during the cooling process into heat for the hot water generator. This allows the geothermal system to make domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months of the year at less than the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater can also be useful during winter months, when a geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device takes away the extra heat produced by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to make use of 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 operating when it’s in a climate that has a large demand for heating.