Geothermal HVAC

Contrary 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 are pretty constant all year.

Geothermal systems are made up of a heatpump, underground loops, and an distribution system. Learn more about the various parts that make up this energy-efficient system.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is vital to the effectiveness and longevity of geothermal cooling and heating system. It is comprised of pipes that are trenched or drilled in the yard and connect to the heat pump in your home. The piping is filled with water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat based on the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant four to six feet below the surface, making it a natural source of energy for geothermal systems.

When the system is heating, the liquid that transfers heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then carries the heat to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed into the loop, where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, it utilizes the reverse process to remove the heat that is not needed. It returns it to the loop to begin a new cycle.

In a closed loop system the pipes are filled with a water-based solution, and then buried in the ground. The solution is safe and not harmful to the environment, and it does not pollute the underground water supply. The system can also use lakes or ponds to provide heat transfer fluid, which is more eco-friendly.

Both closed and open systems can be horizontal or vertical depending on the space you require. Vertical systems require fewer trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is commonly employed in areas with low soil depths or where existing landscaping must be preserved.

It is essential to choose a reliable installer regardless of the kind 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 allow you to save money on electricity in the long run. It is crucial to flush the system frequently to eliminate any minerals that can reduce the flow and efficiency of the heat transfer liquid. A GeoDoctor expert can help you select the best system for your home.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy derived from the Earth that is used to cool and heat buildings. The energy is harnessed using a series of underground loops that absorb thermal energy and then transfer it to your building. Vertical ground loops are the most commonly used geothermal system. This type of system is most commonly used in residential and commercial applications. The system utilizes the heat pump to transfer thermal energy from the earth into your home or office. In the summer, it reverses to provide cooling.

The pipes that are buried store thermal energy that flows from the earth to your home. These pipes are an essential part of any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of Polyethylene with high density and circulate water and propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water stays relatively constant, even only a few feet beneath 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 drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches work best for large estates with lots of land whereas vertical boreholes work well 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. In addition the ground needs to be compacted to ensure the loops have a firm grip on the soil.

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

To keep your geothermal heating and cooling system at peak performance it is crucial to maintain the loop fields. This includes cleaning up debris and conducting regular tests for bacteriological health.

Horizontal Loop

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

Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems use a series of pipes buried horizontally in trenches that are four to 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 for geothermal heat pumps. The manifold is a conduit for heated or cooled water to your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.

Originally, these piping system were installed in vertical trenches which required a larger area of land to surround them. As technology improved, it was discovered that layering a longer single pipe back-and-forth in varying depths within smaller trenches could reduce the space required and cost, without necessarily losing performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of installing horizontal geothermal loops.

A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to a horizontal geothermal heating system for situations in which there isn’t enough land available. It’s also a good alternative for homes in urban areas in areas where the topsoil layer is thin, and there is not much space for horizontal loops. If your property is located in an earthquake-prone area and cannot support the horizontal loop, the vertical loop could be the best choice.

A geothermal pond or lake pump can be the ideal choice for your home when you have access to plenty of water. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump however, instead of using the earth to heat and cool, the water is used. Be aware that the geothermal loop system that is based on a lake or pond will not function in the event of power failure. A backup generator needs to 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 weigh the initial costs with total energy savings. There are a myriad of aspects to consider such as the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important choices is whether to put in ground loops or install an external hot water tank. The latter is less expensive, but it won’t provide as much efficiency.

A desuperheater can be described as a piece of equipment used to transfer heat from a geothermal system to your hot water tank in your home. It is designed to operate in winter, when the cooling cycle of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater takes this wasted heat and uses it to increase your home’s heating performance. It also reduces the energy use by using existing sources.

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

In the summer, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent more in a climate that is dominated by heating than the conventional hot water heater. 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 of the year at a fraction the cost of alternative energy sources.

The desuperheater also comes in handy during winter, when a geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device is able to add the extra heat generated by the cooling system to the domestic hot-water tank. This allows the domestic hot water tank to utilize this free energy, and also increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater could be used to cut down on the amount of time geothermal systems are in operation in a climate with a high degree of heating.