Geothermal HVAC
Unlike traditional HVAC systems that operate on natural gas, fuel oil propane, electricity or fuel oil geothermal can provide two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth below the surface is relatively constant throughout the year.
Geothermal systems are made up of a heatpump underground loops, and a distribution system. Find out more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is the main element to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and longevity. It is made up of pipes that can be drilled or trenched in the yard to connect with your home’s heat pumps. The piping is 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 relatively constant between four and six feet below the surface level, making it a great energy source for geothermal systems.
When the system is in heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs Earth’s heat and then carries it to the heat pump in your house. The fluid is then moved into the loop where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, it employs the reverse process to remove the heat surplus. It then returns it back to the loop in order to begin the next cycle.
In a closed loop system the pipe is filled with a water-based product and buried in the ground. The solution is non-toxic and safe for the environment. It doesn’t pollute underground water sources. The system can use lakes, ponds or any other body of water to provide heat transfer fluid. This is also environmentally friendly.
Both closed and open systems can be horizontal or vertical, according to the space you need. Vertical systems require less trenches than a horizontal system and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is typically employed in areas with low soil depths, or where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.
No matter what type of ground loop system, it is important to choose an experienced installer. Geothermal systems require a lot of energy to run and it is vital to have a well-designed and efficient system in place. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system and will save your money on electricity costs in the long run. It is also critical to have the system flushed frequently to eliminate any mineral buildup, which can hinder the flow of heat transfer fluid and reduce the efficiency of the system. GeoDoctor experts can help you determine the right system for your home.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy is the energy from the Earth that is used to cool and heat buildings. It can be harnessed using underground loops which absorb heat and then transfer it into your building. Vertical ground loops are the most popular geothermal system. This type of system is typically utilized in commercial and residential applications. This system uses a heat pump to transfer energy from the earth into your home or office. In summer, it works in reverse to provide cooling.
The thermal energy transferred from the ground to your house is stored in a series of buried pipes. These pipes are a key element in any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of high-density Polyethylene, and they circulate water and propylene glycol, which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water remains relatively constant only a few feet below the surface. The closed loop geothermal system is more efficient than other heating methods like gas boilers or furnaces.
These loops can be installed in a horizontal trench or placed into boreholes that are drilled to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are usually used for larger homes with lots of land available, while vertical boreholes are ideally suited for homes or businesses that have limited space. The installation of a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches that can require a lot of time and effort. The ground must also be compacted in order to ensure that the loops are firmly fixed to the soil.
On the other hand vertical loop systems can be installed much faster and more easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician digs holes that are 4 inches in diameter, spaced about 20 feet apart. He then installs the pipe to form a closed circuit. The number of holes you need will be determined by your building’s size and energy requirements.
To keep your geothermal cooling and heating system at peak performance It is essential to maintain the loop fields. This includes cleaning up debris and conducting periodic bacteriological testing.
Horizontal Loop
Geothermal heat pumps transfer 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 the water is fairly constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures, which fluctuate. There are four major kinds of geothermal heating loops and the one your system uses depends on your property size and layout. The type of loop used and the method of installation employed determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.
Horizontal geothermal systems make use of series of horizontal pipes that 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 into the manifold, which is the central control unit for the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold then sends heated and cooled water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.
In the beginning, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches which required a larger amount of land to surround them. As technology advanced and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a single pipe back and forth various depths in trenches that were smaller could help reduce space requirements and costs without the loss of performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.
In situations where there’s not enough space, a vertical ground loop system can be an ideal alternative. It can also be an option for homes located in urban areas where topsoil is thin and there is little if any room for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system can also be the best solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone area and cannot support an horizontal loop.
If you have a lot of water available lakes, ponds or ponds could be a great option for your home. This type of system works exactly like a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heat pump, however, the water is used to heat and cooling instead of the earth. It’s important to remember that a system that utilizes a pond or lake loop will not function in the event of a power outage. Installing a backup generator can provide power during this time.
Desuperheater
Geothermal heating is an efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to switching, homeowners have to balance upfront costs and energy savings in the long run. There are a myriad of aspects to consider, including the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important choices is whether to put in ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter is cheaper, but it might not offer as much efficiency.
A desuperheater is an equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal system to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to function in the winter months when the cooling cycle of the system generates excessive heat. The desuperheater takes this wasted heat and uses it to increase the efficiency of your home’s heating. It also reduces the energy use by utilizing pre-existing resources.
The optimum design for a desuperheater is determined by a variety of physical, thermal, and geometric variables. These variables include the angle of injection, the temperature of the water spray, and the nozzle design. These are all aspects that affect the performance and operation of the desuperheater.
In a climate dominated by heating, a desuperheater could save you as much as 80percent more than a conventional water heater during the summer. This is because the desuperheater uses the energy that is emitted from the home during the cooling process and converts it into useful 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 months, when a geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device can add the additional heat produced by the cooling system to the domestic hot water tank. This enables the domestic hot water tank to make use of this energy for free and also increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater can even be used to cut down on the time that a geothermal system is active in a climate that is dominated by heating.