Geothermal HVAC

Unlike traditional HVAC systems that run on natural gas, fuel oil propane, electricity or fuel oil geothermal offers two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth beneath the surface remains relatively constant throughout the year.

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

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the key to a geothermal system’s efficiency and durability. It consists of pipes that are either cut or drilled in the yard and connect to your home’s heat pump. The pipes will be filled with a water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat based on the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant from four to six feet below the surface, which makes it a natural energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is heating up, the liquid used to transfer heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transfers that heat to the heat pump in your home. The fluid is then returned to the loop where it begins the process of circulating. In cooling mode, the system uses the opposite process to eliminate the heat surplus and return it back to the loop where it starts the next cycle.

In a closed-loop system, the piping will be filled with a solution made of water and then buried beneath. The solution is safe for the environment. It is not a pollutant to underground water sources. The system can 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 horizontal or vertical according to the space you need. Vertical systems require less trenches than a horizontal system and is less disruptive to your landscaping. It is often used in areas where soil depths are shallow or where existing landscaping needs to be preserved.

Regardless of the type of ground loop system you choose, it is important to choose an experienced installer. It is important to have a well-functioning and well-designed system as geothermal systems consume a lot of energy. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system and will save you money on electricity bills in the long term. It is crucial to flush the system frequently to remove any minerals 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 comes from the Earth and is used to heat or cool buildings. This energy is harnessed by using a series of underground loops that absorb thermal energy and then transfer it to your building. The most commonly used type of geothermal system is known as vertical ground loop. This kind of system is commonly employed in commercial and residential applications. This system makes use of the heat pump to transfer thermal energy from the earth to your home or office. In the summer it reverses to provide cooling.

The thermal energy that is transferred from the ground to your house is stored in a set of underground pipes. These pipes are an essential element in 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, throughout the system. The temperature of the soil or water stays relatively constant within a few feet of the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system can be more efficient than other heating methods like gas boilers and furnaces.

These loops can either be inserted into the horizontal direction of a trench or placed into boreholes that are drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are usually used for larger homes with lots of land available and vertical boreholes are best suited for businesses or homes with limited space. Installation of a horizontal ground-loop involves digging trenches, which can take a considerable amount of time and effort. In addition the ground needs to be compacted to ensure the loops are able to hold a solid grip on the soil.

A vertical loop is simpler to set up than a horizontal field. The technician digs holes that are 4 inches in diameter spaced about 20 feet apart. Then, he installs the pipe to form an enclosed circuit. The number of holes needed will depend on the size of your structure and the energy needs.

To ensure that your geothermal cooling and heating system operating at peak performance it is crucial to properly maintain the loop fields. This means cleaning the loop fields as well as performing periodic testing for bacteriological issues.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pump transfers 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 the water is relatively constant, unlike outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. The size and layout of your property will determine which loop to make use of. The type of loop that is used and the method used to install it determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal system.

Horizontal geothermal systems use a series of horizontal pipes, which are that are buried in trenches ranging from four and six feet deep. The trenches can hold up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected into a manifold which is the central control unit of geothermal heat pumps. The manifold sends heated or cooled water to your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.

Initially, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches that required more land area to cover the pipes. As technology advanced it was discovered that layering a single pipe back and forth varying depths in shorter trenches could help reduce the space required and cost without losing performance. This led to the creation of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

In situations where there isn’t enough land, a vertical ground loop can be a good alternative. It can also be an option for homes located in urban areas, where topsoil is thin and there isn’t any room for horizontal loops. If your home is in an earthquake-prone area and is unable to support an horizontal loop system, an alternative that is vertical might be the best option.

If you have lots of water available, ponds or lakes can be a great option for your home. This kind of system is similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heating system however instead of using earth to heat and cool, the water is used. It’s important to remember that a geothermal system using lakes or ponds will not function in the event of a power failure. Installing a backup generator will provide power during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods. However, when making the switch homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs against the total energy savings. Many factors are involved such as the soil’s composition and local climate. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to dig ground loops or to use an external tank for hot water. The latter is less expensive but may not offer the same level of efficiency.

A desuperheater can be described as a piece of equipment used to transfer heat from a geothermal system to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to function in the winter when the cooling process of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater takes this wasted heat and uses it to boost the efficiency of your heating system. It can also cut down on your energy usage by utilizing existing sources.

The optimum design for a desuperheater is determined by a variety of physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These variables include the spray temperature and the angle of the injection, and the shape of the nozzle. These are all elements that can affect the performance and efficiency of the desuperheater.

In a climate dominated by heating, a desuperheater will save you up to 80% more than a traditional water heater in the summer. This is due to the fact that the desuperheater utilizes the energy that is emitted from the house in the cooling process and converts it into useful heat for the hot water generator. The geothermal system can provide domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months of the year for 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 lowest capacity. The device eliminates the excess heat generated by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to use the energy that is free and boosts the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is an excellent way to cut down on the amount of time that a geothermal heating system is being used when it’s in a location with a high heating demand.