Geothermal HVAC

Contrary to traditional HVAC systems that rely on natural gas, fuel oil, propane or electricity, geothermal provides two-in-one heating and cooling. The temperature of the earth below the surface is relatively constant throughout the year.

A geothermal system is made up of a heatpump, underground loops and the distribution system. Find out more about the various components of this energy-efficient system:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is vital to the effectiveness and longevity of a geothermal heating and cooling system. It is comprised of pipes that can be drilled or trenched in the backyard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The pipes are then filled with a water-based solution that circulates to absorb or disperse heat according to your home’s needs. The temperature of the ground stays constant from four to six feet below the surface, which makes it an ideal energy source for a geothermal system.

When the system is heating up, the heat transfer liquid absorbs heat from the earth. It then transfers that heat to the heat pump in your home. The fluid is then transferred to the loop where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, it utilizes the reverse process to remove the heat surplus. It then returns it to the loop to begin the next cycle.

In a closed loop system, the piping is filled with a water-based solution and buried in the ground. The solution is safe and not harmful to the environment, and it doesn’t pollute the water supply in underground. The system can utilize the pond, lake or other body of water to provide heat transfer fluid. This is even more environmentally friendly.

Depending on the space available, closed and open systems may be installed horizontally or vertically. The vertical system requires fewer trenches than a horizontal one and is less disruptive to your landscaping. It is often employed in areas with low soil depths or in areas where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.

Regardless of the type of ground loop system you choose, it is important to choose 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 will save your money on electricity costs in the long term. It is also crucial to have the system flushed regularly to remove any mineral buildup that could hinder the flow of heat transfer fluid and reduce the efficiency of the system. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to choose the best system for your house.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy comes from the Earth and is used to heat or cool buildings. It is harnessed using underground loops which absorb the thermal energy and then transfer it to your building. The most commonly used type of geothermal system is called a vertical ground loop. This type of system is commonly employed in commercial and residential applications. The system utilizes the heat pump to transfer heat from the earth into your home or office. In summer, it works in reverse to provide cooling.

The pipes that are buried store thermal energy that is transferred 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 a mixture of propylene glycol and water which is a food grade antifreeze, throughout the system. The temperature of the soil or water is relatively constant a few feet beneath the surface. This allows the closed loop geothermal heat pump to work more efficiently than other heating systems such as gas furnaces and boilers.

These loops can be placed in a horizontal trench, or placed into boreholes that are made to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are usually used for larger properties with plenty of land and vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses or homes that have limited space. The process of installing a horizontal ground loop involves digging extensive trenches that can take a considerable amount of time and effort. The ground must be compacted in order to ensure that the loops are firmly connected to the soil.

On the other side, a vertical loop system can be constructed much more quickly and easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician digs holes of 4 inches in diameter, spaced 20 feet apart. He then installs the pipe to create a closed circuit. The number of holes needed will depend on the dimensions of your building as well as the energy requirements.

It is crucial to maintain the loop fields to keep your geothermal system running at its peak. This means removing any debris and conducting periodic tests for bacteriological health.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home, the ground or a nearby body of water instead of the air outside. The reason is that the temperature of the ground and water are fairly constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. The size and layout of your property will determine the type of loop you use. 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 make use of a set of pipes that are buried horizontally in trenches that are about four to six feet deep. The trenches can accommodate up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected into an amanifold that is the central control unit of geothermal heat pumps. The manifold pumps 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 expanse of land to encase them. As technology improved, it was found 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 led to the creation of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to a horizontal geothermal heat pump system in cases where there is not enough land available. It is also a good option for homes located in urban areas, where the topsoil is thin, and there is not much space for horizontal loops. If your property is in an earthquake-prone area and is not able to support the horizontal loop, the vertical loop might be the best option.

If you have plenty of water in your home lakes or ponds can be an excellent option for your home. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heating system however, instead of using the earth for heating and cooling the water is used. Remember that the geothermal loop system that is based on the pond or lake is not functional in the event of a power outage. Installing a backup generator will provide power during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a very efficient alternative to traditional methods. When it comes time to switch homeowners must consider balancing the initial costs with the total energy savings. There are many aspects to consider including the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important choices is whether to put in ground loops or install an external hot water tank. The latter option is less expensive, but may not offer the same efficiency.

A desuperheater can be described as a piece of equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal system into your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to function in the winter when the system’s cooling cycle generates excess heat. The desuperheater utilizes this heat to improve the heating efficiency of your home. It reduces your energy usage by using existing resources.

The ideal design for a desuperheater is determined by a variety of physical, thermal, and geometric variables. These factors include the spray water temperature as well as the angle of injection, and the shape of the nozzle. These are all important factors that affect the desuperheater’s operation and performance.

In a climate dominated heating, a desuperheater could save you as much as 80percent more than an ordinary water heater during the summer. This is because the desuperheater uses the energy removed from the home during the cooling process and converts it to useful 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 a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also useful in the winter months, when a 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 this free energy and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater could be used to cut down on the length of time the geothermal system is in operation in a climate that is dominated by heating.