Geothermal HVAC

Geothermal is a system that can provide heating and cooling. The temperature of the earth beneath the surface remains 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 this efficient system’s components:.

Ground Loop

The Ground Loop is crucial to the efficiency and durability of geothermal cooling and heating system. It is comprised of pipes that can be drilled or slit in the backyard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The pipes will be filled with water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat based on the requirements of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below surface level, making it a great energy source for geothermal systems.

When the system is heating up, the liquid used to transfer heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transfers that heat to the heating pump in your home. The fluid is then transferred to the loop which then starts to circulate. In cooling mode, it employs the reverse process to remove the heat surplus. It returns it to the loop to begin the next cycle.

In a closed loop system, the pipes are filled with a water-based solution, and then is buried in the ground. The solution is safe for the environment. It doesn’t pollute the water supply in underground. The system can utilize a pond, lake or any other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is even more eco-friendly.

Based on the space available depending on the space available, open and closed systems may be installed horizontally or vertically. Vertical systems require less trenches than a horizontal system and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is often used in areas where soil depths are low or in areas where existing landscaping must be maintained.

It is essential to choose a reliable installer, regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require large amounts of energy to operate and it is essential to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A properly installed system will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system and can save you money on electricity bills in the long term. It is essential to flush the system regularly to eliminate any minerals which could affect the flow and effectiveness of the heat transfer liquid. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to choose the best system for your house.

Vertical Loop

Geothermal energy is the energy derived from the Earth that is utilized to heat and cool buildings. It is harnessed using underground loops that absorb the thermal energy and transmit it to the building. The most popular type of geothermal system can be called a vertical ground loop. This type of system is typically employed in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system takes the thermal energy from the ground and transfers it to your office or home. In the summer, it operates in reverse to provide cooling.

The thermal energy transferred from the ground to your building is stored in a set of underground pipes. These pipes are an essential part of any geo-thermal HVAC system. The pipes are made of high-density polyethylene. They move a mixture of propylene glycol and water, which is a food-grade antifreeze, throughout the system. The temperature of the water or soil remains fairly constant at just a few feet below the surface. This allows the closed loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems, like gas furnaces and boilers.

The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench or placed into boreholes that are made to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches work best for large properties with lots of land, vertical boreholes are suitable for homes and businesses with limited space. Installation of a horizontal ground-loop involves digging trenches, which could take a lot of time and effort. Additionally the ground has to be compacted to ensure the loops have a strong hold on the soil.

A vertical loop system is much easier to install than a horizontal field. The technician digs holes that are 4 inches in diameter spaced 20 feet apart. Then, he installs the pipe to create a closed circuit. The number of holes required will depend on the size of your building and the energy needs.

It is vital to maintain the loop fields to keep your geothermal system operating at its top efficiency. This means cleaning the loop fields as well as performing periodic bacteriological tests.

Horizontal Loop

Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and ground or a nearby body of water, and not being able to draw energy from the air outside. This is because the temperatures of water and ground remain relatively stable, compared to the fluctuating outdoor air temperature. There are four primary types of geothermal heating loops, and which one you use will depend on your property size and layout. The type of loop used and the method of installation employed determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.

Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems use a series of pipes buried horizontally within trenches that range from four to six feet deep. The trenches are designed to accommodate two to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold which is the central control unit for the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold then delivers chilled and heated water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.

In the beginning, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches which required a larger area of land to surround them. As technology advanced 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 losing performance. This led to the invention of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.

In situations where there’s not enough land, a vertical ground loop system can be an ideal alternative. It is also a good alternative for homes situated in urban areas in areas where the topsoil layer is thin and there isn’t much space for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system can also be the best solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone area and is not able to support the horizontal loops.

If you have lots of water lakes or ponds can be a great option for your home. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or a vertical ground loop geothermal heating system however, instead of using earth for heating and cooling the water is used. It’s important to remember that a geothermal system using lake loops or ponds will not function in the event of a power failure. A backup generator should be installed to provide an electric source during this period.

Desuperheater

Geothermal heating is an efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to making the switch, homeowners have to balance upfront costs and total energy savings. There are many aspects to consider, including the local climate and soil’s composition. One of the most important decisions is whether to bury ground loops or use an external hot water tank. The latter option is cheaper, but it might not offer the same efficiency.

A desuperheater transfer heat from geothermal heating systems to your hot water tank. It is designed to operate in winter when the cooling cycle of the system generates excess heat. The desuperheater utilizes this wasted heat to increase the heating efficiency of your home. It can also cut down on your energy usage by using existing resources.

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

In a climate dominated by heating, a desuperheater will save you up to 80% 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 during the cooling process and converts it into useful heat for the hot water generator. This enables the geothermal system to create domestic hot water for three months of the year at a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.

The desuperheater is also able to help in the winter when geothermal systems are running 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 energy for free and increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is also a great way to reduce the amount of time a geothermal heating system is in use when it’s in a location with a high heating demand.