Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a dual-purpose system that can provide both heating and cooling. The temperatures of the earth below the surface remain relatively consistent year-round.

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

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is the key to a geothermal system’s efficiency and durability. It is comprised of pipes that are either placed in the backyard and connected to the heat pump in your home. The pipes will be filled with water-based solution and circulated to absorb or distribute heat based on the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground stays constant from four to six feet below the surface, which makes it a natural source of energy for geothermal systems.

When the system is heating up, the heat transfer liquid absorbs heat from the earth. It then transmits that heat to the heating pump in your home. The fluid is then moved into the loop which is then able to circulate again. In cooling mode, it uses the reverse process to remove the excess heat. It returns it back to the loop in order to begin a new cycle.

In a closed loop system, the pipe is filled with a water-based product and buried in the ground. The solution is safe and non-toxic to the environment and does not affect the water supply of underground. The system can use the pond, lake or any other body of water as a source of heat transfer fluid. This is even more green.

Based on the space available depending on the space available, open and closed systems may be installed vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require fewer trenches than a horizontal system and reduces disturbance to your landscaping. It is commonly used in areas with shallow soil depths or where existing landscaping must be preserved.

It is crucial to choose an experienced installer, regardless of the type of system. It is essential to have an efficient and well-designed system as geothermal systems use a lot of energy. A properly installed system will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system, and saves you money on electricity bills in the long term. It is essential to flush the system on a regular basis to eliminate any minerals that could reduce the flow and efficiency of the liquid used to transfer heat. GeoDoctor experts can help you determine the right system for your house.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy originates from the Earth and is used to heat or cool buildings. It is harnessed using a series of underground loops which absorb the thermal energy and then transfer it to the building. Vertical ground loops are the most commonly used geothermal system. This kind of system is typically used in residential and commercial applications. This system makes use of an energy pump to transfer heat from the earth to your office or home. In the summer, it works in reverse to provide cooling.

The thermal energy transferred from the ground to your home is stored in a network of buried pipes. These pipes are an essential component of any geo-thermal HVAC system. The tubes are made from high-density Polyethylene, and they circulate water and propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water remains relatively constant at a few feet below the surface. This allows the closed loop geothermal heat pump to work more efficiently than other heating systems, like gas furnaces and boilers.

These loops can either be installed in an excavation horizontally or in boreholes that are drilled from to 400 feet deep. 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 of a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches, which can take a lot of time and effort. Additionally the ground has to be compacted to ensure the loops have a firm grip on the soil.

A vertical loop is more straightforward to install than a horizontal field. The technician digging holes that are 4 inches in diameter and 20 feet apart, then installs the piping to form an enclosed loop. The number of holes needed will depend on the dimensions of your building as well as the energy requirements.

It is essential to keep the loop fields in good condition to keep your geothermal system functioning at its top efficiency. 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 of water instead of the air outside. This is because the temperatures of water and ground remain relatively stable, unlike the fluctuating outdoor air temperature. There are four primary 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 to use and the method used to install it determine the efficiency and effectiveness your geothermal system.

Horizontal geothermal systems use a series of horizontal pipes, which are that are buried in trenches ranging from four and six feet in depth. The trenches can accommodate up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold, which is the geothermal heat pump’s central control unit. The manifold sends heated or cooled water into your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.

Initially, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches, which required a larger expanse of land to encase them. As technology advanced and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a single pipe back and forth at different depths in smaller trenches could help reduce the space required and cost without the loss of performance. This was the beginning of the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.

A vertical ground loop system is an excellent alternative to a horizontal geothermal heating system in situations where there is not enough land available. It’s also a great option for homes located in urban areas, where the topsoil is thin and there isn’t 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 cannot be supported by the horizontal loops.

If you have a lot of water in your home, ponds or lakes can be an excellent option 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 for heating and cooling it uses water to heat and cool. Be aware that a geothermal loop system that utilizes a lake or pond will not function in the event of power failure. Installing a backup generator will provide power during this time.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating and cooling is a very efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to switching, homeowners have to balance the initial costs with the total savings on energy. There are a myriad of variables that play into the equation, including the local climate and soil’s composition. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to bury ground loops, or install an external tank for hot water. The latter is less expensive, however it might not offer as much efficiency.

A desuperheater is an equipment used to transfer heat from a geothermal system into your hot water tank at home. It is designed to function during winter, when the cooling process of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater uses this waste heat to improve the heating performance of your home. It helps reduce your energy consumption by using pre-existing resources.

The ideal design for a desuperheater depends on several physical, thermal, and geometric variables. These factors include the injection angle, temperature of the spray water and the nozzle design. These are all elements that can affect the performance and operation of the desuperheater.

In the summer months, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent more in a heating dominated climate than a conventional hot water heater. The desuperheater transforms the energy removed from the home during cooling into heat for the hot-water generator. This allows the geothermal system to create domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months of the year at only a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater can also help in winter when a geothermal system is operating at its smallest capacity. The device adds the extra 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. Desuperheaters are also an excellent way to cut down on the amount of time that a geothermal heating system is operating when it’s in a climate that has a high demand for heating.