Geothermal HVAC
Contrary to traditional HVAC systems that run on natural gas, fuel oil propane or electricity, geothermal provides two-in-one heating and cooling. The temperatures of the earth below the surface are relatively consistent year-round.
Geothermal systems are made of a heatpump, underground loops and the distribution system. Learn more about the different components that make up this energy-efficient system.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is vital to the efficiency and durability of a geothermal heating and cooling system. It is comprised of pipes that are cut or drilled in the backyard, and then connected to the heat pump in your home. The pipes will be filled with a water-based fluid and circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground stays constant between four and six feet below the surface, which makes it an ideal energy source for geothermal systems.
When the system is heating, the heat transfer liquid absorbs heat from the earth. It then transmits that heat to the heating pump inside your home. The fluid is then returned to the loop, where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, the system employs the opposite process to eliminate the heat surplus and return it back 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 non-toxic and safe for the environment. It is not a pollutant to underground water supplies. The system can also make use of lakes or ponds to provide heat transfer fluid, making it more sustainable.
Based on the space available depending on the space available, open and closed systems may be installed horizontally or vertically. Vertical systems require fewer trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is commonly used in areas with shallow soil depths or where existing landscaping must be preserved.
It is crucial to choose a reliable installer regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require large amounts of energy to operate, and it is crucial to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A properly installed system will ensure the long-term viability of your system and help you save money on electricity in the long run. It is important to flush the system on a regular basis to eliminate any minerals which could affect the flow and efficiency of the liquid used to transfer heat. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to determine the right system for your house.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy originates from the Earth and is utilized to cool or heat buildings. This energy can be harnessed using underground loops which absorb thermal energy and transfer it into your building. Vertical ground loops are the most common geothermal system. This type of system is most commonly utilized in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system absorbs the thermal energy from the ground and transfers it to your home or office. In the summer, it works in reverse to provide cooling.
The thermal energy that is transferred from the ground to your building is stored in a network of buried pipes. These pipes are a key element in any geo thermal hvac system. The pipes 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 water or soil remains relatively constant, even a few feet below the surface. This enables the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems, such as gas furnaces and boilers.
The loops can be inserted into the horizontal direction of a trench or placed in boreholes drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches work best for large homes with lots of land, while vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses and homes with small spaces. Installation of a horizontal ground-loop involves digging trenches, which can require a lot of time and effort. Additionally the ground needs to be compacted to ensure the loops are able to hold a solid grip on the soil.
A vertical loop system is easier to install than a horizontal field. The technician makes holes of 4 inches in diameter, separated by 20 feet. He then connects the pipe to create an enclosed circuit. The number of holes needed will depend on the dimensions of your building as well as the energy requirements.
To keep your geothermal heating and cooling system at peak performance It is essential to maintain the loop fields. This includes cleaning up debris and conducting periodic tests for bacteriological issues.
Horizontal Loop
Geothermal heat pump transfers energy between your home, the ground, or a nearby body water instead of the air outside. This is due to the fact that ground and water temperatures remain relatively stable, unlike the fluctuating temperature of outdoor air. The size and layout of your property will determine the type of loop you use. The type of loop and the method of installation employed determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.
Horizontal geothermal systems make use of series of horizontal pipes, which are placed in trenches that are between four and six feet deep. The trenches are constructed to accommodate three to four pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold which is the central control unit. The manifold then delivers heated and cooled water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.
Initially, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches which required a larger space to surround the pipes. As technology advanced it was realized that layering a longer single pipe back-and-forth in varying depths within shorter trenches reduced the space required and cost, without sacrificed performance. This was the beginning of the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.
A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to horizontal geothermal heat pump system in cases where there is not enough land area available. It is also a good option for homes located in urban areas, in areas where the topsoil layer is thin, and there is not much space for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system can be the ideal solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone zone and is not able to support an horizontal loop.
A geothermal pond or lake pump is the ideal choice for your home in the event that you have access an abundance of water. This type of system works exactly like vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump however, the water is used to heat and cooling, instead of the earth. It is crucial to note that a geothermal system using a pond or lake loop will not work in the event of a power failure. A backup generator must be installed to provide an electric source during this time.
Desuperheater
Geothermal heating is a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to switching, homeowners have to balance upfront costs and energy savings in the long run. There are a variety of variables that play into the equation, including the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to put in ground loops or to use an external tank to store hot water. The latter is less expensive but may not provide the same level of efficiency.
A desuperheater can be described as a piece of equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal system to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to work in the winter when the cooling cycle of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater utilizes this heat to boost the heating efficiency of your home. It reduces your energy usage by using resources already in use.
The optimal design of desuperheaters is determined by several physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These include the angle of injection, the temperature of the spray water, and the nozzle’s design. These are all important factors that affect the desuperheater’s operation and performance.
During the summer months, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent more in a heating dominated climate than the conventional hot water heater. The desuperheater transforms the energy removed from the home during the cooling process into heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can provide domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months per year at a fraction the cost of alternative energy sources.
The desuperheater also comes in handy in the winter months, when a geothermal heating system is at its lowest capacity. The device takes away the extra heat produced by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the domestic hot water tank to make use of this energy for free and increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater could be used to reduce the amount of time a geothermal system is active in a climate that is dominated by heating.