Geothermal HVAC
In contrast to traditional HVAC systems that operate on natural gas, fuel oil propane, electricity or fuel oil geothermal offers two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth below the surface remains relatively constant throughout the year.
Geothermal systems consist of the heat pump, underground loops and a distribution network (such as air ducts). Learn more about the different components that make up this energy-efficient system.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is the key to a geothermal system’s efficiency and durability. It consists of pipes that are either trenched or drilled in the backyard, and then connected to your home’s heat pump. The piping will be filled with a water-based fluid and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat based on the requirements of your home. The temperature of the ground is relatively constant between four and six feet below surface level, making it an ideal energy source for geothermal systems.
When the system is in heating mode the heat transfer fluid absorbs the Earth’s heat and carries it to the heat pump in your house. The fluid is then pushed back to the loop where it begins circulating again. In cooling mode, the system uses the opposite method to eliminate the heat that is left and return it back to the loop where it starts another cycle.
In closed loop systems, the pipes are filled with a water-based solution, and then placed in the ground. The solution is non-toxic and safe for the environment. It does not pollute the water supply in underground. The system can utilize a pond, lake or any other body of water as a source of heat transfer fluid. This is also environmentally friendly.
Open and closed systems can be vertical or horizontal, depending on your space requirements. Vertical systems require less trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is often employed in areas with low soil depths or where existing landscaping needs to be preserved.
It is important to select a reliable installer regardless of the kind of system. It is important to have an efficient and well-designed system, since geothermal systems use a significant amount of energy. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system and can save you money on electric bills in the long term. It is essential to flush the system regularly to get rid of any mineral deposits that could reduce the flow and efficiency of the liquid used to transfer heat. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to choose the best system for your home.
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 then transfer it to your building. The most common type of geothermal system can be called vertical ground loop. This type of system is typically employed in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system takes the heat energy from the ground and carries it to your home or office. In the summer, it works in reverse to provide cooling.
The pipes that are buried store the thermal energy that is transferred from the earth to your home. These pipes are an essential element of any geo thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of high-density polyethylene. They move the mixture of propylene glycol and water which is a food grade antifreeze through the system. The temperature of the water or soil remains fairly constant at a few feet below the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system can be more efficient than other heating methods like gas boilers or furnaces.
These loops can be installed in a horizontal trench, or inserted into boreholes that are drilled to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are best suited for large homes with lots of land, while vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses and homes with little space. The installation process for a horizontal ground loop involves digging extensive trenches that can take a considerable amount of time and effort. The ground must also be compacted in order to ensure that the loops are securely attached to the soil.
On the other the other hand, a vertical loop system can be set up much more quickly and easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician makes holes of 4 inches in diameter spaced about 20 feet apart. Then, he installs the pipe to create an enclosed circuit. The number of holes you need will depend on your building’s size and the energy requirements.
To keep your geothermal cooling and heating system at peak performance it is crucial to properly maintain the loop fields. This involves cleaning the loop fields as well as performing periodic tests for bacteriology.
Horizontal Loop
Geothermal heat pump transfers energy between your home, the ground, or a nearby body of water instead of the air outside. The reason is that the temperatures of the ground and water is relatively constant, unlike outdoor air temperatures that fluctuate. The size and layout of your property will determine which loop you make use of. 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 heat pump systems make use of a set of pipes buried horizontally within trenches that are four to six feet deep. The trenches are constructed to accommodate two to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold, which is the central control unit. The manifold is a conduit for heated or cooled water into your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.
In the beginning, these piping systems were placed in vertical trenches that required a larger expanse of land to surround them. As technology developed it was realized that laying a larger single pipe back-and-forth at varying depths within shorter trenches decreased space requirements and cost without necessarily sacrificed performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.
A vertical ground loop system is an excellent alternative to horizontal geothermal heat pump system for situations in which there is not enough land area available. It is also an option for homes located in urban areas, in which the topsoil is scarce and there is little if any space for horizontal loops. If your home is in an earthquake-prone area and cannot support an horizontal loop system, the vertical loop might be the best option.
If you have lots of water, ponds or lakes can be the ideal 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 to heat and cool, the water is used. It is crucial to note 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 a source of electricity during this time.
Desuperheater
Geothermal heating and cooling is a highly efficient alternative to conventional methods. However, when making the switch homeowners must weigh upfront costs against total energy savings. Many factors are involved including the soil’s composition and climate of the area. One of the most important decisions is whether to bury ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter is less expensive, however it may not provide as much efficiency.
A desuperheater is a device that transfers heat from geothermal heating systems to your hot water tank. It is designed to function in winter, when the cooling cycle of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater eliminates this waste heat and utilizes it to improve the efficiency of your home’s heating. It also reduces the energy use by using existing sources.
The ideal design for a desuperheater is determined by a variety of physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These include the injection angle, the temperature of the spray water and the nozzle’s design. These are all significant factors that affect the desuperheater’s operation and performance.
During the summer months, desuperheaters can save up to 80 percent more in a climate with a high degree of heating than traditional hot water heaters. The desuperheater converts the energy removed from the house during cooling into heat for the hot water generator. This allows the geothermal system to produce domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months of the year at only a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.
The desuperheater is also useful in winter, when a geothermal heating system is at its lowest 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. The desuperheater could be used to decrease the amount of time the geothermal system is in operation in a climate that is dominated by heating.