Geothermal HVAC

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

Geothermal systems are made of a heatpump, underground loops and the distribution system. Learn more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the key to a geothermal system’s efficiency and longevity. It is made up of pipes that can be drilled, or even truncated in the backyard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The pipes will be filled with water-based solution and circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below the surface, which makes it an ideal energy source for a geothermal system.

When the system is in heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs the earth’s heat and then transfers it to the heat pump inside your house. The fluid is then transferred to the loop where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, the system utilizes the opposite process to eliminate the heat that is left and return it to the loop, where it starts a new cycle.

In a closed loop system the pipes are filled with a water-based solution, and then is buried in the ground. The solution is non-toxic and safe for the environment. It does not pollute underground water sources. The system can also use the pond or lake as a source of heat transfer fluid, which is more environmentally friendly.

Open and closed systems can be vertical or horizontal, depending on the space you require. The vertical system requires fewer trenches than horizontal systems and reduces disturbance to your landscaping. It is ideal for areas where soil depths are low or where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.

No matter what type of ground loop system, it is important to choose an experienced installer. It is crucial to have a reliable and well-designed system, since geothermal systems use a significant amount of energy. A properly installed system will ensure the long-term viability of your system and help you save money on electricity over the long term. It is important to flush the system on a regular basis to eliminate any minerals that can reduce the flow and efficiency of the liquid used to transfer heat. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to choose the right system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy that comes from the Earth that is used to cool and heat buildings. The energy is harnessed using underground loops that absorb thermal energy and transmit it to your building. The most commonly used type of geothermal system can be known as vertical ground loop. This kind of system is commonly used in residential and commercial applications. This system uses the heat pump to transfer energy from the earth into your office or home. In the summer, it operates in reverse to provide cooling.

The heat energy that is transferred from the ground to your building is stored in a network of buried pipes. These pipes are a crucial component of any geo thermal HVAC system. The pipes are made of Polyethylene with high density and circulate water as well as propylene glycol which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water stays relatively constant at only a few feet beneath the surface. The closed loop geothermal system is more efficient than other heating methods such as gas boilers and furnaces.

These loops can either be placed in the horizontal direction of a trench or placed in boreholes that are drilled from to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are ideal for large properties with lots of land, while vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses and homes with small spaces. Installing a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches, which could take a lot of time and effort. Additionally, the ground must be compacted to ensure the loops have a firm grip on the soil.

On the other hand the vertical loop system can be constructed quicker and with less effort than a horizontal loop field. The technician makes holes that are 4 inches in diameter, spaced 20 feet apart. Then, he installs the pipe to create a closed circuit. The number of holes needed will depend on your building’s size and the energy requirements.

It is essential to maintain the loop fields to keep your geothermal system operating at its best. This includes cleaning up debris and conducting periodic tests for bacteriological health.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and ground or nearby bodies of water, and not taking energy from the outside air. This is due to the fact that ground and water temperatures remain relatively stable, compared to the fluctuating outdoor temperature. The size and layout of your property will determine which loop to make use of. The type of loop and the method of installation employed determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pumps use a series of pipes buried horizontally in trenches that range from four to six feet deep. The trenches are designed to hold three to four pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold, which is the central control unit. The manifold is a conduit for heated or cooled water into your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.

In the beginning, these pipes were installed in vertical trenches that required more land area to encase the pipes. As technology advanced it was discovered that layering a single longer pipe back and forth at different depths in smaller trenches could help reduce the space required and cost without the loss of performance. This led to the invention of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

In situations where there’s not enough land available, a vertical loop can be an option. It is also a good alternative for homes situated in urban areas where the topsoil is a bit thin and there isn’t much space 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 may be the best option.

If you have plenty of water, ponds or lakes can be an excellent alternative for your home. This kind of system is similar to a horizontal or a vertical ground loop geothermal heating system however, instead of using earth to heat and cool it uses water to heat and cool. It is important to keep in mind that a geothermal system using lake loops or ponds is not functional in the event of a power failure. Installing a backup generator will provide power during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a highly efficient alternative to conventional methods. However, when making the switch homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs against total energy savings. There are a myriad of aspects to consider, including the local climate and soil’s composition. One of the most important choices is whether to put in ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter option may be cheaper, but it might not offer as much efficiency.

A desuperheater is a device that transfers heat from a geothermal heating system to your hot water tank. It is designed to operate in the winter when the cooling process of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater eliminates this waste heat and uses it to increase the efficiency of your heating system. It reduces your energy usage by using resources already in use.

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

In the summer, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent more in a heating dominated climate than the conventional hot water heater. This is due to the fact that the desuperheater utilizes the energy removed from the house during the cooling process and converts it into useful heat for the hot water generator. This allows the geothermal system to produce 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 able to help in the winter when the geothermal system is operating at its smallest capacity. The device can add the additional heat produced by the cooling system to the domestic hot-water tank. This allows the hot water tank to use this energy free of charge and increase the system’s heating capacity. The desuperheater may also be used to decrease the length of time a geothermal system is active in a climate with a high degree of heating.