Geothermal HVAC

In contrast to traditional HVAC systems that run on fuel oil, natural gas propane or electricity, geothermal provides two-in-one heating and cooling. 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 components of this energy-efficient system:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is essential to the effectiveness and longevity of geothermal cooling and heating system. It consists of pipes that are cut or drilled in the backyard, and then connected to the heat pump in your home. The pipes will be filled with a water-based fluid and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the requirements of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below the surface level, making it an ideal energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is heating, the heat transfer liquid absorbs heat from the earth. It then carries that heat to the heat pump in your home. The fluid is then pushed into the loop, which is then able to circulate again. In cooling mode, the system utilizes the reverse process to remove the heat surplus and return it back to the loop where it starts the next cycle.

In a closed-loop system the piping is filled with a solution based on water and then buried beneath. The solution is safe and not harmful to the environment, and it does not pollute the water supply of underground. The system can use the pond, lake or any other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is also eco-friendly.

Depending on the space available, closed and open systems can be installed either vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require less trenches than a horizontal one and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is used in areas where soil depths are low or in areas where existing landscaping must be maintained.

It is crucial to choose a reliable installer regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require substantial amounts of energy to run and it is essential to have a well-designed and efficient system in place. A quality installation ensures the longevity of your geothermal system and will save you money on electric bills in the long term. It is also essential to have the system flushed regularly to remove any mineral buildup, which can reduce the flow of heat transfer fluid and hinder the efficiency of the system. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to select the best system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy that comes from the Earth that is used to heat and cool buildings. It is a source of energy that can be harnessed using underground loops which absorb thermal energy and transfer it to your building. The most commonly used type of geothermal system is called vertical ground loop. This kind of geothermal system is used most often in commercial and residential settings. The heat pump in this system takes the thermal energy from the ground and carries it to your office or home. In the summer, it works in reverse to provide cooling.

The heat energy that is transferred from the ground to your building is stored in a network of underground pipes. These pipes are a key element of any geo thermal HVAC system. The tubes are made of high-density polyethylene and circulate a mixture of propylene glycol and water which is a food-grade antifreeze through the system. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant for a few feet below the surface. This enables 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 inserted into boreholes that are made to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are best suited for large homes with lots of land while vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses and homes with limited space. Installation of a horizontal ground-loop involves digging trenches, which can require a lot of time and effort. The ground is also to be compacted in order to ensure that the loops are firmly fixed to the soil.

A vertical loop system is easier to install than a horizontal field. The technician digging holes that are 4 inches in diameter and 20 feet apart, then installs the piping in order to create a closed loop. The number of holes required will depend on the building’s size and the energy requirements.

To keep your geothermal cooling and heating system operating at peak performance, it is important to maintain the loop fields. This includes removing 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 is that the temperatures of the ground and water is relatively constant, unlike outdoor air temperatures which fluctuate. The size and layout of your property will determine which loop you employ. The type of loop and the method of installation employed determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems make use of a set of pipes buried horizontally within trenches that are about four to six feet deep. The trenches are designed to hold two to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected into a manifold which is the central control unit for geothermal heat pumps. The manifold is then able to send chilled and heated water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.

Originally, these piping system were placed in vertical trenches that required a larger amount of land to encase them. As technology improved and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a single longer pipe back and forth different depths in smaller trenches could decrease the amount of space needed and also costs without sacrificing performance. This is the reason for the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.

A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to horizontal geothermal heat pump system in cases where there isn’t enough land area available. It’s also a great option for homes located in urban areas where the topsoil is a bit thin and there isn’t much space for horizontal loops. If your property is in an earthquake-prone region and is unable to support a horizontal loop system, an alternative that is vertical may be the best option.

If you have a lot of water in your home lakes, ponds or ponds could be the ideal option for your home. This kind of system functions the same as a vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump, but the water is used for heating and cooling, not the earth. It is important to keep in mind that a geothermal system that uses lake loops or ponds will not function in the event of a power failure. A backup generator needs to be installed to supply an electric source during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal cooling and heating is a very efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to switching homeowners must consider balancing the initial costs with the total savings on energy. There are a variety of factors that come into play such as the local climate and soil’s composition. One of the most important choices is whether to plant ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter is more affordable, but it may not offer 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 at home. It is designed to function in winter, when the system’s cooling cycle produces excess heat. The desuperheater eliminates this waste heat and uses it to increase the efficiency of your heating system. It lowers your energy use by using existing resources.

The optimal design of a desuperheater is determined by a variety of physical, thermal, and geometric variables. These include the spray water temperature and the angle of the injection, and the design of the nozzle. These are all aspects that can influence the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

In a climate dominated heating, a desuperheater could save you up to 80percent more than a conventional water heater during the summer. This is due to the fact that the desuperheater utilizes the energy emitted by the home during the cooling process and converts it to useful heat for the hot water generator. This enables the geothermal system to create domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months of the year at less than the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also useful in winter months, when a geothermal heating system is at its lowest capacity. The device removes the extra heat produced by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This enables the domestic hot water tank to use this energy for free and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is also an excellent way to cut down on the time that geothermal heating systems are operating when it’s in a place that has a large demand for heating.