Geothermal HVAC
Geothermal is a dual-purpose system that provides heating and cooling. The temperature of the earth below the surface is relatively constant throughout the year.
A geothermal system is made of a heatpump, underground loops and an distribution system. Learn more about the different components of this energy-efficient system.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is the key to a geothermal system’s efficiency and long-lasting. It is made up of pipes that are trenched or drilled in the yard and connect to the heat pump in your home. The piping is then filled with a water-based fluid that circulates to absorb or disperse heat based on the requirements of your home. The ground’s temperature is relatively constant four to six feet below the surface, which makes it an ideal energy source for geothermal systems.
When the system is heating up, the liquid that transfers heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transfers the heat to the heat pump in your home. The fluid is then moved into the loop which then starts to circulate. In cooling mode, the system employs the opposite process to eliminate the excess heat and return it to the loop, where it starts another cycle.
In a closed loop system, the piping will be filled with a solution made of water and buried underground. The solution is non-toxic and safe for the environment. It doesn’t pollute the water supply in underground. The system can also use the pond or lake to provide heat transfer fluid, which is more sustainable.
Open and closed systems can be vertical or horizontal according to the space you need. Vertical systems require less trenches than horizontal systems and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is often utilized in areas with shallow soil depths, or where existing landscaping needs to be preserved.
Regardless of the type of ground loop system you choose, it is crucial to select an experienced installer. Geothermal systems require substantial amounts of energy to operate and it is vital to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A quality installation will ensure the longevity of your system and help you save energy costs over the long term. It is also critical to flush the system regularly to remove any mineral buildup that could hinder the flow of the heat transfer fluid and hinder the efficiency of the system. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to choose the best system for your home.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy is the energy that comes from the Earth that is used to cool and heat buildings. This energy is harnessed by using a series of underground loops that absorb the thermal energy and transfer it to the building. Vertical ground loops are the most commonly used geothermal system. This type of system is commonly utilized in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system absorbs the thermal energy from the ground and carries it to your home or office. In the summer it reverses to provide cooling.
The buried pipes store the thermal energy that flows from the earth to your building. These pipes are a crucial element of any geo thermal hvac system. The tubes are made of high-density polyethylene. They circulate a mixture of water and propylene glycol, which is a food-grade antifreeze, through the system. The temperature of the soil or water is almost constant just only a few feet below the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system is more efficient than other heating methods, such as gas boilers and furnaces.
The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench or inserted into boreholes that are drilled to a depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are best suited for large homes with lots of land, vertical boreholes are suitable for homes and businesses with limited space. Installation of a horizontal ground-loop involves digging trenches that can take a considerable amount of time and effort. In addition, the ground must be compacted to ensure the loops have a strong hold on the soil.
A vertical loop system is much more straightforward to install than a horizontal field. The technician drills holes of 4 inches in diameter, spaced about 20 feet apart. He then connects the pipe to create an enclosed circuit. The number of holes needed will depend on your building’s dimensions and energy requirements.
It is crucial to keep the loop fields in good condition in order to keep your geothermal system running at its top efficiency. This involves cleaning the loop fields and conducting periodic testing for bacteriological issues.
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 temperature of the ground and water are generally constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. There are four major types of geothermal heating loops and which one you choose to use depends on your property size and layout. The type of loop that is used and the installation method determine the efficiency and effectiveness your geothermal system.
Horizontal geothermal systems use a series of horizontal pipes that are placed in trenches that are between four and six feet in depth. The trenches are constructed to accommodate two to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to the manifold, which is the central control unit for the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold then delivers hot and cool water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.
Initially, these pipes were installed in vertical trenches, which required more land space to surround the pipes. As technology developed and technology improved, it was discovered that laying a larger single pipe back-and-forth in varying depths within shorter trenches decreased space requirements and cost without necessarily sacrificed performance. This led to the creation of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.
A vertical ground loop system is an excellent alternative to a horizontal geothermal heating system for situations in which there isn’t enough land area available. It’s 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 could be the ideal solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone area and cannot support the horizontal loops.
If you have a lot of water lakes or ponds can be a great option for your home. This type of system works exactly like vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump but the water is used for heating and cooling, instead of the earth. Remember that a geothermal loop system using the pond or lake is not functional in the event of a power failure. Installing a backup generator will supply electricity during this time.
Desuperheater
Geothermal heating is a cost-effective alternative to conventional methods. When it comes time to switch homeowners must consider balancing the initial costs with the total savings on energy. There are a variety of aspects to consider such as the local climate and soil’s composition. But one of the biggest decisions is whether to bury ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter option is less expensive, but it might not offer the same efficiency.
A desuperheater is a piece of equipment used to transfer heat from a geothermal system into your hot water tank at home. It is designed to function in the winter when the cooling process of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater eliminates this waste heat and utilizes it to improve the efficiency of your heating system. It reduces your energy usage by using existing resources.
The optimal design of a desuperheater depends on several physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These include the spray temperature and the angle of the injection, as well as the design of the nozzle. These are all significant elements that impact the desuperheater’s operation and performance.
In a climate dominated heating, a desuperheater will save you as much as 20% more than a conventional water heater during the summer. The desuperheater transforms the energy taken from the house during cooling into heat for the hot water generator. This allows the geothermal system to make domestic hot water for 3-5 months of the year, at less than the cost of other energy sources.
The desuperheater also helps during winter, when a geothermal system is running at its lowest capacity. The device eliminates the excess heat generated by the cooling system and then adds it to the domestic hot water tank. This enables the domestic hot water tank to utilize this energy for free and also increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater can even be used to reduce the length of time the geothermal system is in operation in a heating dominated climate.