Geothermal HVAC
In contrast to traditional HVAC systems that operate on fuel oil, natural gas, propane or electricity geothermal can provide two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface remain relatively consistent year-round.
Geothermal systems consist 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 effectiveness and durability. It consists of pipes that are trenched or drilled in the backyard and connected to your home’s heat pump. The pipes are then filled with a water-based fluid that circulates to absorb or disperse heat according to the requirements of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below the surface, making it an ideal energy source for a geothermal system.
When the system is heating, the liquid that transfers heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transfers the heat 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 utilizes the reverse process to remove the heat surplus and return it back to the loop where it starts a new cycle.
In a closed loop system, the piping is filled with a water-based solution, and then is buried in the ground. The solution is safe and non-toxic to the environment, and does not pollute the water supply of underground. The system can use the pond, lake or any other body of water as a source for 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 fewer trenches than a horizontal system and is less disruptive to your landscaping. It is ideal for areas where soil depths are low or when existing landscaping needs to be maintained.
It is important to select an experienced installer regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require a lot of energy to run, and it is crucial to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. 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 on a regular basis to remove any minerals which could affect the efficiency and flow of the liquid used to transfer heat. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to select the right system for your house.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy originates from the Earth and is utilized to cool or heat buildings. The energy is harnessed using underground loops which absorb the thermal energy and transmit it to the building. The most popular kind of geothermal system is known as vertical ground loop. This kind of system is typically used in commercial and residential applications. This system uses a heat pump to transfer energy from the earth to your office or home. In the summer, it works in reverse to provide cooling.
The thermal energy transferred from the ground to your house is stored in a network of underground pipes. These pipes are a key component of any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of Polyethylene with high density and circulate water and propylene glycol which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water is 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.
The loops can be inserted into a trench horizontally or inserted in boreholes that are drilled from to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are generally used for larger homes with a lot of available land and vertical boreholes are ideal for homes or businesses that have limited space. The process of installing a horizontal ground loop involves digging a long trench that may take a lot of time and effort. The ground is also to be compacted in order to ensure that the loops are securely connected to the soil.
A vertical loop is simpler to set up than a horizontal field. The technician makes holes that are 4 inches in diameter spaced 20 feet apart. He then connects the pipe to create an enclosed circuit. The number of holes required will depend on the dimensions of your building as well as the energy requirements.
It is essential to maintain the loop fields in order to keep your geothermal system running at its top efficiency. This involves cleaning the loop fields and performing periodic testing for bacteriological issues.
Horizontal Loop
Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and ground or nearby bodies of water, and not from the outdoor air. The reason is that the temperature of the ground and the water is generally constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures that fluctuate. There are four main types of geothermal heating loops, and which one you use will depend on your property size and layout. The type of loop you choose to use and the method used to install it determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal system.
Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems utilize a series of pipes buried horizontally within trenches that range from four to six feet deep. The trenches are designed to accommodate two to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to the manifold, which is the central control unit for the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold pumps heated or cooled water to your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.
In the beginning these pipes were installed in vertical trenches that required more land space to surround the pipes. As technology improved, it was found that layering a single pipe back and forth at different depths in smaller trenches could help reduce the space required and cost without losing performance. This is the reason for the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.
In situations where there’s not enough space, a vertical ground loop can be an option. It is also an option for homes located in urban areas where the topsoil is a bit thin and there is little if any space for horizontal loops. If your property is in an earthquake-prone region and is not able to support an horizontal loop system, a vertical loop system may be the best option.
A geothermal pond or lake pump can be the best option for your home when you have access to an ample amount of water. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump however, instead of using the earth for heating and cooling it uses water to heat and cool. It’s important to remember that a system that utilizes a pond or lake loop will not function in the event of a power failure. A backup generator should be installed to supply a source of electricity during this period.
Desuperheater
Geothermal heating is a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods. However, when making the switch, homeowners must balance upfront costs against the total savings on energy. There are many factors that come into play, including the local climate and soil’s composition. But one of the biggest decisions is whether to bury ground loops or install an external hot water tank. The latter option is less expensive, but may not provide the same level of efficiency.
A desuperheater transfers heat from geothermal heating systems to your home hot water tank. It is designed to work during winter, when the cooling cycle of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater removes this waste heat and utilizes it to improve the efficiency of your home’s heating. It also reduces your energy consumption by utilizing existing resources.
The optimum design for a desuperheater is determined by a variety of physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These include the injection angle, temperature of the spray water, and the nozzle’s design. These are all elements that influence the performance and operation of the desuperheater.
In a climate dominated heating, a desuperheater will save you as much as 20% more than a conventional water heater during the summer. The desuperheater transforms the energy removed from the house during the cooling process into heat for the hot-water generator. This enables the geothermal system to produce domestic hot water for three months of the year, at less than the cost of other energy sources.
The desuperheater can also be useful in winter, when a geothermal heating system is at its lowest capacity. The device takes away the extra heat generated by the cooling system and then adds 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 system’s heating capacity. The desuperheater is an excellent way to cut down on the time that a geothermal heating system is in use when it’s in a location with a high heating demand.