Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a dual-purpose system that provides cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth below the surface is relatively constant throughout the year.

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

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the main element to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and longevity. It consists of pipes that are either cut or drilled in the backyard and connected to the heat pump in your home. The pipes are then filled with a solution containing water that circulates to absorb or disperse heat according to the requirements of your home. The ground’s temperature is relatively constant from four to six feet below the surface, which makes it a natural source of energy for geothermal systems.

When the system is in heating mode the heat transfer fluid absorbs Earth’s heat and then carries it to the heat pump within your home. The fluid is then returned to the loop where it begins circulating again. In cooling mode, the system uses the reverse process to remove the heat that is left and return it to the loop where it starts the next cycle.

In a closed-loop system, the piping will be filled with a solution based on water and buried underground. The solution is safe and non-toxic to the environment, and doesn’t pollute the underground water supply. The system can also use the pond or lake as a source of heat transfer fluid, making it more environmentally friendly.

Open and closed systems can be vertical or horizontal, according to the space you need. Vertical systems require fewer trenches than a horizontal system and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is often used in areas with shallow soil depths or in areas where existing landscaping must be preserved.

It is crucial to choose an experienced installer regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require large 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 geothermal system, and can save you money on electric bills in the long term. It is also essential to flush the system frequently to eliminate any mineral buildup that can hinder the flow of heat transfer fluid and impede the efficiency of the system. A GeoDoctor expert can help you choose the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy comes from the Earth and is used to heat or cool buildings. It can be harnessed by underground loops that absorb thermal energy and then transfer it to your building. Vertical ground loops are the most common geothermal system. This type of system is typically employed in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system takes the heat energy from the ground and transfers it to your office or home. In summer, it works in reverse to provide cooling.

The buried pipes store the thermal energy that flows from the earth to your house. These pipes are an essential element in 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 soil or water remains relatively constant only a few feet below the surface. This allows the closed loop geothermal heat pump to work more efficiently than other heating systems, such as gas furnaces and boilers.

The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench or put into boreholes drilled to a depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches work best for large properties with lots of land while vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses and homes with small spaces. The process of installing horizontal ground loops entails digging extensive trenches that can take a considerable amount of time and effort. The ground must also be compacted in order to ensure that the loops are firmly fixed to the soil.

A vertical loop system is more straightforward to install than a horizontal field. The technician drills holes of 4 inches in diameter, spaced 20 feet apart. He then connects the pipe to form a closed circuit. The number of holes needed will depend on the size of your structure and the energy requirements.

It is crucial to keep the loop fields in good condition to keep your geothermal system functioning at its best. This includes cleaning the loop fields and performing periodic bacteriological tests.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and the ground or the nearby body of water, and not being able to draw energy from the air outside. This is due to the fact that ground and water temperatures remain relatively stable, in contrast to the fluctuating outdoor air temperature. The size and layout of your property will determine which loop you make use of. The type of loop used and the installation method used determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems use a series of pipes buried horizontally in trenches that are four to six feet deep. The trenches are designed to accommodate two to three 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 chilled water into your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.

Initially, these piping systems were placed in vertical trenches that required a larger amount of land to cover them. As technology improved it was realized that layering a single pipe back-and-forth in varying depths within shorter trenches decreased costs and space requirements without necessarily losing performance. This was the beginning of the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.

A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to a horizontal geothermal heat pump system in cases where there isn’t enough land area available. It can also be an option for homes located in urban areas, where topsoil is thin and there is little if any space for horizontal loops. Vertical loops can be a good option when your property is located in an earthquake-prone area and is not able to support the horizontal loops.

A geothermal lake or pond heat pump can be the ideal option for your home if you have access to plenty of water. This kind of system functions the same as a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heat pumps, except the water is used to heat and cooling, not the earth. It is crucial to note that a geothermal system using a pond or lake loop is not functional in the event of an electrical power failure. Installing a backup generator can provide electricity during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is an efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes time to switch homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs with total savings on energy. There are a myriad of variables that play into the equation such as the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important choices is whether or not to put in ground loops, or use an external tank to store hot water. The latter option is more affordable, but it may not provide the same level of efficiency.

A desuperheater can be described as a piece of equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal system to your hot water tank in your home. It is designed to work in winter, when the cooling cycle of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater removes this waste heat and utilizes it to improve the efficiency of your heating system. It reduces your energy usage by using resources already in use.

The optimal design of a desuperheater is dependent on a variety of physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These variables include the temperature of the spray water as well as the angle of injection, as well as the design of the nozzle. These are all important aspects that affect the operation and performance 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 uses the energy removed from the home during the cooling process and converts it into useful heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can supply domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months per year for a fraction of the cost of alternative energy sources.

The desuperheater can also be useful during winter, when the geothermal heating system is at its lowest capacity. The device removes the extra heat generated by the cooling system and adds it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to use the energy that is free and boosts the system’s heating capacity. Desuperheaters are also an excellent way to cut down on the time that a geothermal heating system is in use when it’s in a location that has a large demand for heating.