Geothermal HVAC
Geothermal is a dual-purpose system that can provide cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface stay relatively consistent year-round.
A geothermal system consists of a heat pump, underground loops, and a distribution system (such as air ducts). Learn more about this efficient system’s components:.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is vital to the efficiency and durability of geothermal heating and cooling system. It is comprised of pipes that can be drilled or slit in the yard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The pipes are then filled with a water-based fluid that circulates to absorb or disperse heat in accordance with the requirements of your home. The temperature of the ground stays constant between four and six feet below the surface, which makes it an ideal energy source for a geothermal system.
When the system is heating up, the heat transfer liquid absorbs heat from the earth. It then carries that heat to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed back into the loop, where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, the system employs the reverse process to remove the heat surplus and return it back to the loop, where it begins another cycle.
In a closed-loop system the piping is filled with a product based on water and buried underground. The solution is safe and non-toxic for the environment. It does not pollute underground water sources. The system can utilize lakes, ponds or any other body of water to provide heat transfer fluid. This is even more eco-friendly.
Depending on the available space Open and closed systems can be set up horizontally or vertically. Vertical systems require less trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is commonly utilized in areas with shallow soil depths or in areas where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.
It is crucial to choose an experienced installer regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require large amounts of energy to run and it is essential to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A properly installed system will ensure the long-term viability of your system and allow you to save money on electricity over the long term. It is crucial to flush the system frequently to get rid of any mineral deposits which could affect the flow and efficiency of the heat transfer liquid. A GeoDoctor expert can help you select the best system for your home.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy is the energy from the Earth that is used to heat and cool buildings. The energy is harnessed using underground loops which absorb the thermal energy and transmit it to your building. Vertical ground loops are the most common geothermal system. This kind of system is typically utilized in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system absorbs the thermal energy from the ground and transfers 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 house. These pipes are a crucial part of any geo-thermal hvac system. The tubes are made from high-density Polyethylene and circulate water and propylene glycol, which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of soil or water is 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 or furnaces.
The loops can be inserted into an excavation horizontally or into boreholes that are drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are best suited for large estates with lots of land, while vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses and homes with little space. Installation of a horizontal ground-loop involves digging trenches, which could take a lot of time and effort. In addition the ground needs to be compacted so that the loops are able to hold a solid grip on the soil.
A vertical loop system is easier to install than a horizontal field. The service technician drills holes that are 4 inches in diameter and approximately 20 feet apart, and installs the piping to create an enclosed loop. The number of holes needed will depend on the dimensions of your building as well as the energy demands.
To keep your geothermal heating and cooling system running at its peak it is crucial to properly maintain the loop fields. This includes cleaning up debris and conducting regular bacteriological testing.
Horizontal Loop
Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and ground or the nearby body of water, and not from the outdoor air. This is because ground and water temperatures remain relatively stable, compared to the fluctuating outdoor air temperature. There are four major types 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 used determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.
Horizontal geothermal systems use a series of horizontal pipes, which are placed in trenches that are between four and six feet in depth. The trenches are designed to accommodate three to four pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold which is the central control unit for the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold pumps heated or cooled water into your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.
Originally, these piping system were placed in vertical trenches that required a larger amount of land to encase 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 help reduce the amount of space needed and also costs without the loss of performance. This led to the creation of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.
In situations where there isn’t enough space, a vertical ground loop can be an option. It can also be an option for homes in urban settings, 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 a horizontal loop system, a vertical loop system may be the best option.
If you have lots of water in your home lakes or ponds can be the ideal alternative for your home. This kind of system functions exactly like a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heat pump, however, the water is used to heat and cooling, instead of the earth. Be aware that a geothermal loop system that utilizes a lake or pond will not function in the event of 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 conventional methods. But when it comes to making the switch homeowners must weigh the initial costs with total energy savings. There are many variables that play into the equation such as the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important choices is whether to plant ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter option may be less expensive, however it won’t 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 work in winter when the cooling cycle of the system generates excessive heat. The desuperheater utilizes this wasted heat to improve the heating efficiency of your home. It also reduces your energy consumption by using existing sources.
The best design of a desuperheater dependent on several physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These factors include the spray water temperature, the angle of injection, and the design of the nozzle. These are all factors that can influence the performance and operation of the desuperheater.
During the summer, a desuperheater can save up to 80 percent more in a climate that is dominated by heating than the conventional hot water heater. The desuperheater transforms the energy removed from the home during cooling into heat for the hot-water generator. This enables the geothermal system to produce domestic hot water for 3-5 months of the year at only a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.
The desuperheater also helps in the winter when a geothermal system is running at its lowest capacity. The device can add the additional heat produced by the cooling system to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the domestic hot water tank to utilize the energy that is free, and also increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is also a great way to reduce the amount of time that a geothermal heating system is being used when it’s in a location with a high heating demand.