Geothermal HVAC
Geothermal is a system that can provide both cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface remain pretty constant all year.
Geothermal systems are made of a heatpump, underground loops and the distribution system. Learn more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is the key to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and durability. It is made up of pipes that can be drilled or slit in the backyard to connect with your home’s heat pumps. The piping is filled with water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the needs of your home. The ground’s temperature is relatively constant between four and six feet below the surface, which makes it an ideal energy source for a geothermal system.
When the system is in heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs Earth’s heat and then carries it to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then returned to the loop, where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, the system employs the opposite process to eliminate the heat surplus and return it back to the loop, where it begins the next cycle.
In closed loop systems, the pipe is filled with a water-based product and buried in the ground. The solution is safe for the environment. It doesn’t pollute underground water supplies. The system can utilize lakes, ponds or other body of water to provide heat transfer fluid. This is even more green.
Open and closed systems can be vertical or horizontal depending on the space you require. Vertical systems require less trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is ideal for areas in which soil depths are low or when existing landscaping needs to be preserved.
It is crucial to choose an experienced installer regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require large amounts of energy to operate and it is vital to have a well-designed and efficient system in place. A quality installation ensures the longevity of your geothermal system and can save you money on electric bills in the long term. It is also essential to have the system flushed frequently to eliminate any mineral buildup. This can hinder the flow of the heat transfer fluid and impede system efficiency. GeoDoctor experts can help you determine the right system for your house.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy comes from the Earth and is used to heat or cool buildings. It is a source of energy that can be harnessed through underground loops that absorb thermal energy and transfer it into your building. The most popular type of geothermal system is known as vertical ground loop. This type of system is most commonly used in residential and commercial applications. The heat pump in this system takes the heat energy from the ground and then transfers it to your home or office. In summer, it operates in reverse to provide cooling.
The thermal energy that is transferred from the ground to your home is stored in a set of buried pipes. These pipes are a crucial part of any geo-thermal HVAC system. The tubes are made of high-density polyethylene. They move a mixture of water and propylene glycol, which is a food-grade antifreeze through the system. The temperature of soil or water stays relatively constant within a few feet of the surface. This enables the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to work more efficiently than other heating systems, like gas furnaces and boilers.
The loops can be erected in a horizontal trench, or inserted into boreholes that are drilled to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are ideal for large estates with lots of land while vertical boreholes are ideal for homes and businesses with limited space. Installing a horizontal ground loop involves digging 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 firmly connected to the soil.
A vertical loop is more straightforward to install than a horizontal field. The technician drills holes of 4 inches in diameter separated by 20 feet. Then, he installs the pipe to create an enclosed circuit. The number of holes you need will depend on the size of your structure and the energy demands.
It is essential to maintain the loop fields in order to keep your geothermal system operating at its peak. This involves cleaning the loop fields as well as performing periodic testing for bacteriological issues.
Horizontal Loop
Geothermal heat pump transfers energy between your home, the ground or a nearby body water instead of the air outside. This is due to the fact that temperatures in the ground and in the water remain relatively stable, compared to the fluctuating temperature of outdoor air. There are four major kinds of geothermal heating loops and the one your system uses depends on the size of your property and layout. The type of loop and the method of installation employed determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.
Horizontal geothermal systems employ series horizontal pipes that are buried in trenches ranging from four and six feet deep. The trenches are designed to hold two 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 heating and cooling ductwork.
Originally, these piping system were installed in vertical trenches, which required a larger amount of land to cover them. As technology advanced it was discovered that layering a single longer pipe back and forth different depths in smaller trenches could reduce the amount of space needed and also costs without sacrificing performance. This is the reason for the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.
A vertical ground loop system can be a great alternative to a horizontal geothermal heat pump system in cases where there is not enough land available. It is also a good alternative for homes in urban areas where the topsoil is thin and there isn’t enough space for horizontal loops. Vertical loops can be the ideal solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone area and cannot be supported by an horizontal loop.
A pond or lake geothermal heat pump system can be the ideal option for your home if you have access to an abundance of water. 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, not the earth. It is crucial to note that a geothermal system using lakes or ponds will not work in the event of a power outage. Installing a backup generator will provide electricity during this period.
Desuperheater
Geothermal cooling and heating is a very efficient alternative to traditional methods. But when switching to geothermal homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs against the total savings on energy. There are many factors to consider, including the soil composition and climate of the area. One of the most important choices is whether to plant ground loops or install an external hot water tank. The latter is more affordable, but it may not offer the same efficiency.
A desuperheater is a device that transfers heat from geothermal heating systems to your home hot water tank. It is designed to work in the winter when the cooling process of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater uses this waste heat to boost the efficiency of heating in your home. It also reduces the energy use by utilizing existing sources.
The best design of a desuperheater dependent on several physical geometric, thermal, and factors. These include the spray water temperature and the angle of the injection, and the design of the nozzle. These are all significant factors that affect the operation and performance of the desuperheater.
In a climate dominated heating, a desuperheater will save you up to 20% more than a traditional water heater in the summer. This is due to the fact that the desuperheater utilizes the energy removed from the home during the cooling process and converts it to useful heat for the hot water generator. This enables the geothermal system to make domestic hot water for three months of the year at less than the cost of other energy sources.
The desuperheater also helps during winter, when geothermal systems are running at its lowest capacity. The device is able to add the extra heat produced by the cooling system to the domestic hot water tank. This enables the domestic hot water tank to use this energy for free and also increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is also an excellent way to cut down on the amount of time geothermal heating systems are operating when it’s in a place that has a high demand for heating.