Geothermal HVAC

Contrary to traditional HVAC systems that rely on fuel oil, natural gas, propane or electricity, geothermal provides two-in-one heating and cooling. The temperatures of the earth below the surface are pretty constant all year.

A geothermal system is comprised of a heat pump, underground loops, and a distribution system (such as air ducts). Find out more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is vital to the efficiency and durability of geothermal heating and cooling system. It is comprised of pipes that are either cut or drilled in the backyard, and then 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 needs of your home. The temperature of the ground stays constant between four and six feet below the surface, making it a natural energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is heating, the liquid used to transfer heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transmits that heat to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed into the loop, where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, the system employs the opposite process to eliminate the excess heat and return it back to the loop, where it begins a new cycle.

In a closed loop system the piping is filled with a water-based product and is buried in the ground. The solution is safe for the environment. It is not a pollutant to the water supply in underground. The system can also utilize the pond or lake as the source of heat transfer fluid, which is more eco-friendly.

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

It is crucial to choose a reliable installer regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require substantial amounts of energy to run, and it is crucial to have a well-designed and efficient system in place. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system, and will save your money on electricity costs in the long term. It is essential to flush the system regularly to remove any minerals which could affect the efficiency and flow of the heat transfer liquid. GeoDoctor experts can help you choose the best system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy derived from the Earth that is utilized to heat and cool buildings. It can be harnessed through underground loops that absorb thermal energy and transfer it into your home. The most commonly used kind of geothermal system is called vertical ground loop. This type of geothermal system is used most often in commercial and residential applications. The system utilizes an energy pump to transfer thermal energy from the earth to your office or home. In summer, it operates in reverse to provide cooling.

The buried pipes store the thermal energy that flows from the earth to your building. These pipes are an essential component of any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of high-density polyethylene. They circulate an emulsion of propylene glycol and water, which is a food-grade antifreeze, through the system. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant, even a few feet below the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system is more efficient than other heating methods like gas boilers and furnaces.

The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench, or inserted into boreholes that are dug to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are best suited for large estates with lots of land whereas vertical boreholes work well for businesses and homes with little space. The installation process for a horizontal ground loop involves digging large trenches that take a lot of time and effort. The ground must also be compacted to ensure that the loops are firmly connected to the soil.

A vertical loop system is easier to install than a horizontal field. The technician digs holes of 4 inches in diameter separated by 20 feet. He then installs the pipe to create an enclosed circuit. The number of holes required will depend on your building’s dimensions and energy requirements.

To ensure that your geothermal heating and cooling system at peak performance, it is important to properly maintain the loop fields. This means removing any debris and conducting periodic bacteriological testing.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home, the ground or a nearby body of water instead of the air outside. The reason is that the temperature of the ground and the water is relatively constant, unlike outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. There are four main types of geothermal heating loops, and which one you use will depend on the size of your property as well as its layout. The type of loop and the installation method used determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal systems employ series of horizontal pipes, which are buried in trenches between four and six feet deep. The trenches are designed to hold two to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected into an amanifold that is the central control unit for the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold then sends hot and cool water to your home’s cooling and heating ductwork.

Initially, these pipes were buried in vertical trenches which required a larger area to encase the pipes. As technology improved and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a single longer pipe back and forth at varying depths in shorter trenches could help reduce the amount of space needed and also costs without sacrificing performance. This is the reason for the “slinky” method of installing horizontal geothermal loops.

A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to a horizontal geothermal heating system in cases where there is not enough land available. It is also a good alternative for homes situated in urban areas where the topsoil is a bit thin, and there is not enough space for horizontal loops. Vertical loops can also be the best solution for properties that are located in an earthquake-prone region and cannot support the horizontal loops.

A geothermal pond or lake pump can be the ideal option for your home if you have access to plenty of water. This kind of system operates exactly like a vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump, however, the water is used to heat and cooling instead of the earth. It is important to keep in mind that a geothermal system that uses lakes or ponds is not functional in the event of a power failure. A backup generator should be installed to supply an electric source during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods. But when switching to geothermal homeowners must weigh upfront costs against the total savings on energy. There are a variety of aspects to consider such as the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important decisions is whether to bury ground loops or install an external hot water tank. The latter is less expensive but may not offer the same efficiency.

A desuperheater is an equipment used to transfer heat from a geothermal system into your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to function in the winter when the cooling process of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater eliminates this waste heat and utilizes it to improve the efficiency of your home’s heating. It lowers your energy use by using pre-existing resources.

The best design of a desuperheater dependent on a variety of physical geometric, thermal, and factors. These variables include the angle of injection, the temperature of the spray water and the nozzle design. These are all aspects that influence the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

In a climate dominated by heating, a desuperheater will save you as much as 80percent more than a traditional water heater in the summer. This is due to the fact that the desuperheater utilizes the energy removed from the house in the cooling process and converts it into useful heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can provide hot water to homes for 3 to 5 months per year for a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater can also be useful in the winter months, when a geothermal heating system is at its lowest capacity. The device can add the additional heat generated by the cooling system to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to make use of this free energy and maximizes the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is also an excellent way to cut down on the amount of time a geothermal heating system is in use when it’s in a location that has a high demand for heating.