Geothermal HVAC

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

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

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is crucial to the efficiency and durability of geothermal cooling and heating system. It is comprised of pipes that are either placed in the backyard and connected to your home’s heat pump. The piping is then filled with a solution containing water that circulates to absorb or disperse heat based 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 a great energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is in heating mode in the heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs heat from the earth and then carries it to the heat pump in your home. The fluid is then pushed back to the loop where it begins the process of circulating. In cooling mode, the system utilizes the opposite method to eliminate the excess heat and return it to the loop, where it starts another cycle.

In a closed-loop system the piping will be filled with a product based on water and buried underground. The solution is safe for the environment. It doesn’t pollute the water supply in underground. The system can be used to use a pond, lake or any other body of water to provide heat transfer fluid. This is also environmentally friendly.

Open and closed systems can be horizontal or vertical depending on the space you require. Vertical systems require less trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is commonly utilized in areas with shallow soil depths or where existing landscaping needs to be preserved.

No matter what type of ground loop system, it is crucial to select a reliable installer. Geothermal systems require substantial amounts of energy to operate, and it is crucial to have a well-designed and efficient system in place. A properly installed system will ensure the longevity of your system, and will help you save energy costs in the long-term. It is essential to flush the system frequently to eliminate any minerals that could reduce the efficiency and flow of the liquid used to transfer heat. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to determine 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 can be harnessed using underground loops that absorb thermal energy and transfer it to your building. The most popular type of geothermal system can be known as a vertical ground loop. This type of system is commonly employed in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system absorbs the heat energy from the ground and transfers it to your home or office. In summer, it works in reverse to provide cooling.

The thermal energy transferred from the ground to your building is stored in a series of buried pipes. These pipes are an essential element in any geo thermal hvac system. The pipes are made from high-density polyethylene and circulate the mixture of water and propylene glycol which is a food-grade antifreeze, through the system. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant, even just a few feet below the surface. This allows the closed loop geothermal heat pump to work more efficiently than other heating systems, such as gas furnaces and boilers.

These loops can be installed in a horizontal trench or placed into boreholes that are dug to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches work best for large estates with lots of land while vertical boreholes are ideal for homes and businesses with little space. The installation process for horizontal ground loops entails digging large trenches that take a lot of time and effort. The ground is also to be compacted in order to ensure that the loops remain connected to the soil.

A vertical loop system is easier to install than a horizontal field. The service technician drills holes that are 4 inches in diameter and 20 feet apart, then installs the piping to create a closed loop. The number of holes needed will depend on the dimensions of your building as well as the energy requirements.

It is crucial to keep the loop fields in good condition in order to keep your geothermal system running at its best. This includes cleaning up debris and conducting regular tests for bacteriological health.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home, the ground or a nearby body water instead of the air outside. The reason is that the temperature of the ground and water are generally constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. There are four major kinds of geothermal heating loops and the one your system uses depends on the size of your property and layout. The type of loop you choose and the installation method used determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal systems employ series horizontal pipes that are buried in trenches ranging from four and six feet deep. The trenches can accommodate 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 is then able to send chilled and heated water to your home’s cooling and heating ductwork.

Initially, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches, which required a larger amount of land to surround them. As technology developed and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a longer single pipe back-and-forth in varying depths within shorter trenches reduced the space required and cost, without necessarily sacrificed performance. This led to the development of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

In situations where there isn’t enough land available, a vertical loop can be a good alternative. It can also be an option for homes located in urban areas, where the topsoil is a bit thin and there isn’t any space for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system could be a good option when your property is located in an earthquake-prone area and cannot support the horizontal loops.

If you have a lot of water available, ponds or lakes can be an excellent option for your home. This kind of system operates the same as a vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump but the water is used for heating and cooling, instead of the earth. Be aware that the geothermal loop system that is based on lakes or ponds will not function in the event of a power outage. A backup generator needs to be installed to provide an electric source during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal cooling and heating is a very efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes time to switch, homeowners have to balance upfront costs and total savings on energy. There are a variety of variables that play into the equation such as the local climate and soil makeup. One of the most important choices is whether or not to put in ground loops or to use an external tank for hot water. The latter is less expensive, however it may not provide the same efficiency.

A desuperheater can be described as a piece of equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal system to your hot water tank in your home. It is designed to function 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 your home’s heating performance. It reduces your energy usage by using resources already in use.

The optimal design of a desuperheater dependent on various physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These include the spray temperature and the angle of the injection, as well as the design of the nozzle. These are all crucial elements that impact the operation and performance of the desuperheater.

In a climate that is dominated by heating, a desuperheater can save you up to 80percent more than a traditional water heater in the summer. This is because the desuperheater makes use of the energy that is emitted from the house during the cooling process and converts it into useful heat for the hot water generator. This allows the geothermal system to create domestic hot water for 3-5 months of the year at less than the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater also comes in handy during winter, when the geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device eliminates the excess heat produced by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This enables the domestic hot water tank to use the energy that is free, and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater may also be used to reduce the amount of time geothermal systems are in operation in a climate with a high degree of heating.