Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a two-in-one system that provides heating and cooling. The temperature of the earth beneath the surface is fairly constant throughout the year.

A geothermal system is comprised of the heat pump, underground loops, and a distribution system (such as air ducts). Find out more about the various components that make up this energy-efficient system.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the main element to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and durability. It is comprised of pipes that are either placed in the yard and connect to the heat pump in your home. The piping will be filled with water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground is relatively constant between four and six feet below the surface level, making it an ideal energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is in heating mode the heat transfer fluid absorbs the heat from the earth and carries it to the heat pump within your home. The fluid is then returned to the loop, where it starts to circulate again. In cooling mode, the system uses the opposite process to eliminate the excess heat and return it back to the loop, where it starts a new cycle.

In a closed-loop system, the piping will be filled with a solution made of water and buried underground. The solution is safe and non-toxic to the environment and doesn’t pollute the water supply in underground. The system can also make use of a pond or lake as the source of heat transfer fluid, which is even more sustainable.

Based on the space available depending on the space available, open and closed systems can be installed vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require less trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is commonly employed in areas with low soil depths, or where existing landscaping must be preserved.

Regardless of the type of ground loop system you choose, it is important to choose an experienced installer. It is essential to have a well-functioning and well-designed system as geothermal systems use a significant amount of energy. A quality installation will ensure the long-term viability of your system and allow you to save money on electricity over the long term. It is also essential to have the system flushed regularly to remove any mineral buildup. This can reduce the flow of heat transfer fluid and reduce the efficiency of the system. A GeoDoctor expert can help you choose the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy that comes from the Earth that is utilized to heat and cool buildings. It is a source of energy that can be harnessed through underground loops which absorb thermal energy and transfer it into your home. The most common type of geothermal system can be called a vertical ground loop. This kind of system is most commonly used in residential and commercial applications. The heat pump in this system absorbs the heat energy from the ground and then transfers it to your office or home. In the summer it reverses to provide cooling.

The pipes that are buried store thermal energy that flows from the earth to your home. These pipes are a crucial element in any geo-thermal hvac system. The tubes are made of high-density polyethylene. They circulate the mixture of water and propylene glycol which is a food grade antifreeze through the system. The temperature of the soil or water 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 or furnaces.

Loops can be installed in a trench horizontally or inserted into boreholes that are drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are usually used for larger homes with a lot of available land and vertical boreholes are ideally suited for homes or businesses that have small spaces. Installation of a horizontal ground-loop involves digging trenches, which could take a considerable amount of time and effort. The ground must be compacted in order to ensure that the loops are firmly fixed to the soil.

On the other hand the vertical loop system can be installed much faster and more easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician digging holes that are 4 inches in diameter and about 20 feet apart, and then installs the piping to form an enclosed loop. The number of holes you need will depend on the size of your building and the energy needs.

It is vital to keep the loop fields in good condition to keep your geothermal system functioning at its best. This includes cleaning the loop fields as well as performing periodic bacteriological tests.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and the ground or the nearby body of water, and not from the outdoor air. The reason for this is that the temperatures of the ground and the water is relatively constant, unlike outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. The dimensions and layout of your property will determine which loop you make use of. The type of loop used and the method used to install it determine the efficiency and effectiveness your geothermal system.

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

Originally the pipes were installed in vertical trenches which required a larger space to surround the pipes. As technology advanced and technology improved, it was discovered that laying a larger single pipe back and forth at different depths within shorter trenches decreased space requirements and cost without necessarily sacrificed performance. This was the beginning of the “slinky” method of installing 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 space available. It’s also a great alternative for homes situated in urban areas, in areas where the topsoil layer is thin, and there is not enough space for horizontal loops. If your property is in an earthquake-prone region and cannot support the horizontal loop, a vertical loop system could be the best choice.

A pond or lake geothermal heat pump can be the best option for your home when you have access to an ample amount of water. This kind of system is similar to a horizontal or a vertical ground loop geothermal heating system however, instead of using earth for cooling and heating 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 a power failure. Installing a backup generator can supply electricity during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a highly efficient alternative to traditional methods. When it comes to making the switch homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs and total energy savings. There are many factors that come into play such as the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important decisions is whether to bury ground loops or use an external hot water tank. The latter option may be less expensive, however it won’t provide as much efficiency.

A desuperheater is an equipment used to transfer heat from a geothermal system into your hot water tank in your home. It is designed to function in winter, when the system’s cooling cycle produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater takes this wasted heat and uses it to increase the efficiency of your home’s heating. It helps reduce your energy consumption by using existing resources.

The optimum design for desuperheaters is determined by several physical, thermal, and geometric variables. These factors include the temperature of the spray water as well as the angle of injection, and the design of the nozzle. These are all significant elements that impact the operation and performance of the desuperheater.

In the summer months, a desuperheater can save up to 80 percent in a climate with a high degree of heating than a conventional hot water heater. This is because the desuperheater uses the energy emitted by the house in the cooling process and converts it into useful heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can supply hot water to homes for 3 to 5 months per year for a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also able to help in the winter when the geothermal system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device takes away the extra heat generated by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to make use of this energy free of charge and increase the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is also an effective way to reduce the amount of time geothermal heating systems are operating when it’s in a climate with a high heating demand.