Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a system that can provide cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface remain fairly constant throughout the year.

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

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is essential to the effectiveness and longevity of geothermal cooling and heating system. It is comprised of pipes that can be drilled, or even truncated in the yard to connect with your home’s heat pumps. The piping is filled with a water-based fluid and 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 the surface level, making it a great energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is in heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs the Earth’s heat and carries it 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 reverse process to remove the heat that is left 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 then placed in the ground. The solution is safe and non-toxic for the environment. It does not pollute the water supply in underground. The system can utilize a pond, lake or any other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is also environmentally friendly.

Both closed and open systems can be vertical or horizontal, depending on your space requirements. 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 preserved.

It is important to select an experienced installer regardless of the kind of system. It is crucial to have a well-functioning and well-designed system, since geothermal systems use a lot of energy. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system, and will save you money on electric bills in the long run. It is crucial to flush the system frequently to remove any minerals that could reduce the flow and efficiency of the liquid used to transfer heat. A GeoDoctor expert can help you choose the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy from the Earth that is utilized to heat and cool buildings. This energy can be harnessed through underground loops which absorb thermal energy and then transfer it into your home. Vertical ground loops are the most common geothermal system. This type of geothermal system is used most often in residential and commercial applications. This system uses an energy pump to transfer thermal energy from the earth to your office or home. In the summer it reverses to provide cooling.

The thermal energy transferred from the ground to your house is stored in a set of underground pipes. These pipes are an essential component of any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of high-density polyethylene. They circulate an emulsion of water and propylene glycol, which is a food-grade antifreeze through the system. The temperature of the soil or water remains fairly constant for just a few feet below the surface. This allows the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems like gas furnaces and boilers.

These loops can be installed in a horizontal trench or inserted into boreholes that are drilled to a depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are best suited for large homes with lots of land whereas vertical boreholes work well for businesses and homes with little space. The installation process for horizontal ground loops involves digging a long trench that may take a lot of time and effort. In addition the ground needs to be compacted so that the loops are able to hold a solid grip on the soil.

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

To ensure that your geothermal heating and cooling system at peak performance It is essential to maintain the loop fields. This means removing any debris and conducting periodic bacteriological testing.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and ground or nearby bodies of water, instead of being able to draw energy from the air outside. The reason for this is that the temperature of the ground and the water is relatively constant, unlike outdoor air temperatures which fluctuate. There are four primary types of geothermal heating loops, and the one your system uses depends on your property size and layout. The type of loop that is used and the installation method determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pumps use a series of pipes that are buried horizontally in trenches that are about four to six feet deep. The trenches are designed to accommodate two to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold, which is the central control unit. The manifold is then able to send heated and cooled water to your home’s cooling and heating ductwork.

Initially the pipes were buried in vertical trenches, which required more land area to encase the pipes. As technology advanced and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a single pipe back and forth at different depths in smaller trenches could help reduce the amount of space needed and also costs without sacrificing performance. This led to the invention of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

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 can also be an option for homes located in urban settings, in which the topsoil is scarce and there is little if any space for horizontal loops. If your home is in an earthquake-prone region and is not able to support an horizontal loop system, an alternative that is vertical might be the best option.

A pond or lake geothermal heat pump is the ideal option for your home in the event that you have access an abundance of water. This kind of system functions the same as a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heat pump however, the water is used for heating and cooling instead of 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. Installing a backup generator will supply electricity during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to making the switch homeowners must consider balancing the initial costs with the total savings on energy. There are many aspects to consider including the local climate and soil makeup. One of the most important choices is whether or not to put in ground loops, or install an external tank to store hot water. The latter is less expensive, however it may not provide as much efficiency.

A desuperheater transfers heat from a geothermal heating system to your home hot water tank. It is designed to work during winter, when the cooling process of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater utilizes this wasted heat to increase the heating efficiency of your home. It also reduces your energy consumption by using existing sources.

The ideal design of a desuperheater is dependent on various physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These include the injection angle, temperature of the spray water and the nozzle’s design. These are all important aspects that affect the desuperheater’s operation and performance.

In a climate dominated by heating, a desuperheater could save you as much as 80percent more than an ordinary water heater during the summer. The desuperheater converts the energy removed from the home through cooling into heat for the hot water generator. This allows the geothermal system to create domestic hot water for three months of the year, at less than the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also able to help during winter, when geothermal systems are running at its lowest capacity. The device eliminates the excess heat generated by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This enables the domestic hot water tank to make use of the energy that is free, and increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater can even be used to decrease the length of time geothermal systems are in operation in a climate that is dominated by heating.