Geothermal HVAC
Contrary to traditional HVAC systems that operate on natural gas, fuel oil, propane or electricity, geothermal provides two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface remain pretty constant all year.
Geothermal systems consist up of a heatpump, underground loops and the distribution system. Learn more about the different components of this energy-efficient system.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is crucial to the effectiveness and longevity of geothermal cooling and heating system. It is comprised of pipes that can be drilled or trenched in the backyard to connect with your home’s heat pumps. The pipes will be 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 surface level, making it a great energy source for geothermal systems.
When the system is in heating mode, the heat transfer fluid absorbs the Earth’s heat and carries it to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed back into the loop, where it starts the process of circulating. In cooling mode, it utilizes the reverse process to remove the heat that is not needed. It then returns back to the loop in order to begin a new cycle.
In a closed-loop system, the piping will be filled with a solution made of water, and then buried underground. The solution is safe for the environment. It is not a pollutant to underground water sources. The system can use a pond, lake or other body of water as a source of heat transfer fluid. This is also green.
Depending on the space available depending on the space available, open and closed systems can be set up either vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require fewer trenches than a horizontal one and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is ideal for areas in which soil depths are low or in areas where existing landscaping must be preserved.
It is important to select a reliable installer regardless of the kind of system. Geothermal systems require large amounts of energy to operate and it is vital to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system and will save you money on electricity bills in the long term. It is crucial to flush the system on a regular basis to get rid of any mineral deposits that could reduce the flow and effectiveness of the liquid used to transfer heat. GeoDoctor experts can help you select the right system for your house.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy comes from the Earth and is used to heat or cool buildings. This energy can be harnessed through underground loops that absorb thermal energy and transfer it into your home. Vertical ground loops are the most commonly used geothermal system. This type of system is commonly employed in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system takes the thermal energy from the ground and then transfers it to your office or home. 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 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, through the system. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant, even just a few feet below the surface. This allows the closed loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems such as gas furnaces and boilers.
Loops can be installed in an excavation horizontally or into boreholes that are drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are usually utilized for larger properties that have lots of land available and vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses or homes with limited space. The installation of a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches, which can take a lot of time and effort. Additionally, the ground must be compacted to ensure the loops have a strong grip on the soil.
A vertical loop is more straightforward to install than a horizontal field. The service technician drills holes that are 4 inches in diameter and about 20 feet apart, and installs the piping to form an enclosed loop. The number of holes needed will be determined by your building’s size and the energy requirements.
It is essential to keep the loop fields in good condition to keep your geothermal system functioning at its peak. This includes cleaning the loop fields as well as performing periodic testing for bacteriological issues.
Horizontal Loop
Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and the ground or the nearby body of water, and not taking energy from the outside air. This is because ground and water temperatures remain relatively stable, in contrast to the fluctuating outdoor temperature. The dimensions and layout of your property will determine which loop to make use of. The type of loop used and the method used to install it determine the efficiency and effectiveness your geothermal system.
Horizontal geothermal heat pumps make use of a set of pipes buried horizontally within trenches that are four to six feet deep. The trenches can accommodate up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold which is the geothermal heat pump’s central control unit. The manifold is a conduit for heated or cooled water into your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.
Initially, these piping systems were placed in vertical trenches that required a larger expanse of land to encase them. As technology improved and technology improved, it was discovered that laying a single, longer pipe back and forth at varying depths in shorter trenches could reduce the amount of space needed and also costs without sacrificing performance. This is the reason for the “slinky” method of installing horizontal geothermal loops.
In situations where there’s not enough land available, a vertical loop system is an option. It is also an option for homes located in urban areas, where topsoil is thin and there isn’t any room for horizontal loops. If your home is in an earthquake-prone region and is not able to support a horizontal loop system, the vertical loop could be the best choice.
If you have plenty of water available, ponds or lakes can be the ideal option for your home. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or a vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump however instead of using earth for cooling and heating the water is used. Remember that a geothermal loop system using the pond or lake will not function in the event of power outage. A backup generator should be installed to provide an electrical source during this period.
Desuperheater
Geothermal heating is a reliable alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to making the switch, homeowners have to balance upfront costs and total savings on energy. There are a myriad of aspects to consider, including the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important decisions is whether to bury ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter option may be cheaper, but it won’t provide as much efficiency.
A desuperheater transfer heat from a geothermal heating system to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to work in the winter months when the cooling cycle of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater utilizes this heat to increase the heating efficiency of your home. It can also cut down on your energy usage by utilizing pre-existing resources.
The ideal design of a desuperheater is dependent on a variety of physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These variables include the spray temperature as well as the angle of injection, and the shape of the nozzle. These are all aspects that influence the performance and operation of the desuperheater.
In the summer, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent more in a heating dominated climate than a conventional hot water heater. The desuperheater converts the energy that is removed from the house during cooling into heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can supply domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months a year at a fraction the cost of alternative energy sources.
The desuperheater also comes in handy in the winter months, when a geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device removes the extra heat produced by the cooling system and transfers it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to use this energy free of charge and increase the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is a great way to reduce the time that geothermal heating systems are operating when it’s in a climate that has a high demand for heating.