Geothermal HVAC

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

Geothermal systems consist of an underground heat pump, loops, and a distribution system (such as air ducts). Learn more about the different components that make up this energy-efficient system:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is vital to the efficiency and durability of a geothermal heating and cooling system. It is comprised of pipes that are cut or drilled in the backyard, and then connected to your home’s heat pump. The piping will be filled with a water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant four to six feet below the surface, which makes it an ideal energy source for a geothermal system.

When the system is in heating mode the heat transfer fluid absorbs Earth’s heat and carries it to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then returned to the loop where it begins to circulate again. In cooling mode, the system employs the opposite method to eliminate the excess heat and return it to the loop where it starts another cycle.

In closed loop systems, the pipe is filled with a water-based solution and buried in the ground. The solution is safe and not harmful to the environment, and doesn’t pollute the water supply of underground. The system can be used to use lakes, ponds or other body of water as a source of heat transfer fluid. This is also environmentally friendly.

Open and closed systems can be vertical or horizontal, according to the space you need. Vertical systems require fewer trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is used in areas where soil depths are shallow or in areas where existing landscaping must be maintained.

It is essential to choose a reliable installer, regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require a lot of energy to operate and it is essential to have a well-designed and efficient system in place. A quality installation will ensure the long-term viability of your system and allow you to save energy costs in the long run. It is essential to flush the system on a regular basis to get rid of any mineral deposits that could reduce the efficiency and flow of the heat transfer liquid. A GeoDoctor expert can help you choose the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy originates from the Earth and is utilized to cool or heat buildings. The energy is harnessed using underground loops that absorb thermal energy and transmit it to the building. The most popular type of geothermal system is known as vertical ground loop. This kind of system is commonly used in residential and commercial applications. The system utilizes a heat pump to transfer heat from the earth to your office or home. In the summer it reverses to provide cooling.

The thermal energy that is transferred from the ground to your home is stored in a series of buried pipes. These pipes are a key component of any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made from high-density polyethylene and circulate an emulsion of propylene glycol and water which is a food grade antifreeze, through the system. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant at only a few feet beneath the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system can be more efficient than other heating methods like gas boilers and furnaces.

These loops can be placed in a horizontal trench, or placed into boreholes that are drilled to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are ideal for large properties with lots of land, while vertical boreholes are ideal for homes and businesses with limited space. The installation of a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches, which can require a lot 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 simpler to set up than a horizontal field. The service technician digs holes that are 4 inches in diameter and approximately 20 feet apart, and installs the piping in order to create a closed loop. The number of holes required will depend on your building’s dimensions and energy requirements.

To keep your geothermal cooling and heating system operating at peak performance It is essential to maintain the loop fields. This includes cleaning up debris and conducting periodic bacteriological testing.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your house and the ground or a nearby body of water, and not taking energy from the outside air. The reason is that the temperature of the ground and water are generally constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures which fluctuate. The size and layout of your property will determine which loop you use. The type of loop you choose to use and the installation method determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pumps utilize a series of pipes that are buried horizontally in trenches that are four to six feet deep. The trenches can house up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected into the manifold, which is the central control unit for the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold is a conduit for heated or cooled water into your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.

Originally, these piping system were installed in vertical trenches, which required a larger amount of land to cover them. As technology improved it was realized that layering a single pipe back and forth at different depths within shorter trenches decreased space requirements and cost without sacrificed performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of installing horizontal geothermal loops.

A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to a horizontal geothermal heat pump system for situations in which there is not enough land available. It is also an option for homes situated in urban areas, in which the topsoil is scarce and there isn’t any room for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system could be a good option for properties that are located in an earthquake-prone region and cannot be supported by an horizontal loop.

A geothermal pond or lake pump can be the ideal choice for your home in the event that you have access an ample amount of water. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or a vertical ground loop geothermal heating system, but instead of using earth to heat and cool it uses water to heat and cool. It’s important to remember that a geothermal system that uses lakes or ponds will not function in the event of an electrical power failure. A backup generator must be installed to supply an electric source during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is an efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to switching homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs and total energy savings. Many factors are involved such as the soil’s composition and the local climate. One of the most important decisions is whether to bury ground loops or install an external hot water tank. The latter option is less expensive, however it might not offer as much efficiency.

A desuperheater is a device that transfers heat from a geothermal heating system to your home hot water tank. It is designed to function in the winter months when the cooling process of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater removes this waste heat and uses it to boost the efficiency of your home’s heating. It also reduces the energy use by utilizing existing resources.

The optimum design for a desuperheater depends on several physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These include the temperature of the spray water and the angle of the injection, and the design of the nozzle. These are all factors that can affect the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

During the summer months, desuperheaters can save up to 80 percent more in a climate with a high degree of heating than the conventional hot water heater. The desuperheater converts the energy that is removed from the home 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 only a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater can also help in the winter when a geothermal system is operating at its smallest capacity. The device can add the additional heat generated by the cooling system to the domestic hot-water tank. This allows the hot water tank to utilize this energy free of charge and increase the system’s heating capacity. The desuperheater can even be used to decrease the amount of time the geothermal system is in operation in a climate with a high degree of heating.