Geothermal HVAC
Unlike traditional HVAC systems that run on fuel oil, natural gas propane or electricity, geothermal provides two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth below the surface is fairly constant throughout the year.
A geothermal system is made of a heatpump, underground loops and a distribution system. Learn more about the various components of this energy-efficient system:.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is vital to the effectiveness and longevity of geothermal cooling and heating system. It is comprised of pipes that are either placed in the backyard, and then connected to the heat pump in your home. The piping will be filled with water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the requirements of your home. The temperature of the ground stays constant between four and six feet below the surface, which makes it a natural source of energy for geothermal systems.
When the system is heating, the heat transfer liquid absorbs heat from the earth. It then carries that heat to the heating pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed back to the loop, where it starts to circulate again. In cooling mode, the system uses the reverse process to remove the excess heat and return it to the loop, where it starts a new cycle.
In a closed loop system, the piping is filled with a water-based solution, and then buried in the ground. The solution is safe and not harmful to the environment, and doesn’t pollute the underground water supply. The system can utilize lakes, ponds or other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is even more environmentally friendly.
Open and closed systems can be vertical or horizontal depending on your space requirements. Vertical systems require fewer trenches than a horizontal one and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is commonly used in areas with shallow soil depths or where existing landscaping needs to be preserved.
It is crucial to choose an experienced installer regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require a lot 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 system and allow you to save energy costs over the long term. It is essential to flush the system on a regular basis to eliminate any minerals that could reduce the flow and effectiveness of the liquid used to transfer heat. A GeoDoctor expert can help you choose the right system for your home.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy is derived from the Earth and is used to heat or cool buildings. It is a source of energy that can be harnessed using underground loops that absorb thermal energy and then transfer it into your home. Vertical ground loops are the most common geothermal system. This kind of system is most commonly employed in commercial and residential applications. This system makes use of a heat pump to transfer thermal energy from the earth 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 transfers from the earth to your building. These pipes are an essential component of any geo thermal hvac system. The tubes are made of high-density polyethylene and circulate a mixture of water and propylene glycol which is a food-grade antifreeze, throughout the system. The temperature of soil or water remains relatively constant within a few feet of the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system can be more efficient than other heating methods, like gas boilers and furnaces.
These loops can be placed in a horizontal trench, or inserted into boreholes that are dug to an average depth of 100 to 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are ideal for large homes with lots of land vertical boreholes are suitable for businesses and homes with limited space. Installing a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches that can require a lot of time and effort. The ground must be compacted in order to ensure that the loops are securely fixed to the soil.
On the other side vertical loop systems can be constructed much faster and more easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician digging holes that are 4 inches in diameter and 20 feet apart, then installs the piping in order to create an enclosed loop. The number of holes needed will depend on the size of your structure and the energy demands.
It is vital to maintain the loop fields to keep your geothermal system functioning at its best. This means cleaning the loop fields and performing periodic tests for bacteriology.
Horizontal Loop
Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home, the ground, or a nearby body water instead of the air outside. This is because temperatures in the ground and in the water remain relatively stable, compared to the fluctuating outdoor air temperature. There are four primary kinds of geothermal heating loops, and which one your system uses depends on your property size and layout. The type of loop you choose to use and the method of installation determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal system.
Horizontal geothermal heat pumps use a series of pipes buried horizontally within trenches that are four to six feet deep. The trenches can house up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold, which is the central control unit. The manifold is then able to send chilled and heated water to your home’s cooling and heating ductwork.
In the beginning, these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches, which required a larger expanse of land to cover them. As technology advanced, it was found that laying a single, longer pipe back and forth at various depths in trenches that were smaller could decrease 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 horizontal geothermal heat pump system in cases where there isn’t enough land space available. It is also an option for homes located in urban settings, where the topsoil is a bit thin and there isn’t any room for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system can be the ideal solution if your property is in an earthquake-prone zone and cannot be supported by a horizontal system.
If you have plenty of water available, ponds or lakes can be a great option for your home. This type of system works the same as a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heat pump except the water is used to heat and cooling instead of the earth. Remember that the geothermal loop system that is based on lakes or ponds will not function in the event of a power outage. A backup generator must be installed to supply an electrical source during this period.
Desuperheater
Geothermal cooling and heating is a very efficient alternative to traditional methods. However, when making the switch homeowners must weigh upfront costs against total savings on energy. There are a variety of variables that play into the equation 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 less expensive, but it might not offer as much efficiency.
A desuperheater is a device that transfers heat from geothermal heating systems to your home hot water tank. It is designed to operate in the winter when the cooling cycle of the system produces heat that is not needed. The desuperheater takes this wasted heat and uses it to boost your home’s heating performance. It reduces your energy usage by using resources already in use.
The ideal design for a desuperheater depends on several physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These factors include the temperature of the spray water and the angle of the injection, and the shape of the nozzle. These are all crucial elements that impact the desuperheater’s operation and performance.
In a climate dominated by heating, a desuperheater will save you up to 80% more than an ordinary water heater during the summer. The desuperheater transforms the energy removed from the house during cooling into heat for the hot water generator. The geothermal system can provide hot water to homes for 3 to 5 months of the year for a fraction of the cost of alternative energy sources.
The desuperheater can also help in the winter when a geothermal system is operating at its smallest capacity. The device takes away the extra heat produced by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the domestic hot water tank to use this energy for free and also increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is a great way to reduce the amount of time a geothermal heating system is being used when it’s in a location with a high heating demand.