Geothermal HVAC
Geothermal is a dual-purpose system that provides cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth beneath the surface remains relatively constant throughout the year.
A geothermal system consists of a heat pump, underground loops and a distribution network (such as air ducts). Learn more about the various components of this energy-efficient system.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is the key to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and long-lasting. 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 your home’s needs. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below the surface level, which makes it an ideal energy source for geothermal systems.
When the system is heating up, 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 transferred to the loop where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, the system uses the opposite method to eliminate the excess heat and return it back to the loop, where it starts the next cycle.
In a closed-loop system the piping is filled with a product based on water and then buried beneath. The solution is safe and not harmful to the environment, and it does not affect the underground water supply. The system can utilize lakes, ponds or any other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is also green.
Depending on the available space, closed and open systems can be set up either vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require less trenches than a horizontal system and reduces disturbance to your landscaping. It is ideal for areas in which soil depths are low or where existing landscaping needs to be preserved.
It is essential to choose a reliable installer regardless of the kind of system. It is essential to have a well-functioning and well-designed system as geothermal systems use a lot of energy. A well-designed installation will ensure the long-term viability of your system and allow you to save energy costs over the long term. It is important to flush the system on a regular basis to get rid of any mineral deposits that can reduce the flow and efficiency of the heat transfer liquid. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to determine the best system for your home.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy is the energy from the Earth that is used to cool and heat buildings. It is harnessed using a series of underground loops which absorb the thermal energy and then transfer it to your building. The most commonly used kind of geothermal system is known as vertical ground loop. This kind of geothermal system is typically used in commercial and residential settings. The heat pump in this system takes 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 is transferred from the earth to your building. These pipes are an essential component of any geo-thermal HVAC system. The pipes are made of high-density polyethylene. They move a mixture of propylene glycol and water which is a food-grade antifreeze, through the system. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant, even only a few feet beneath the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system is more efficient than other heating methods such as gas boilers and furnaces.
Loops can be inserted into a trench horizontally or inserted in boreholes that are drilled from to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches work best for large estates with lots of land, whereas vertical boreholes work well for businesses and homes with small spaces. The process of installing a horizontal ground loop involves digging large trenches that require considerable time and effort. The ground must also be compacted in order to ensure that the loops remain fixed to the soil.
On the other hand, a vertical loop system can be constructed much faster and more easily than a horizontal loop field. The service technician digs holes that are 4 inches in diameter and approximately 20 feet apart, and then installs the piping to create an enclosed loop. The number of holes required will depend on the building’s size and energy requirements.
It is crucial to maintain the loop fields in order to keep your geothermal system running at its best. This includes cleaning the loop fields and 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, rather than from the outdoor air. This is because temperatures in the ground and in the water remain relatively stable, in contrast to the fluctuating temperature of outdoor air. The dimensions and layout of your property will determine the type of loop you make use of. The type of loop you choose and the method of installation used determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.
Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems utilize a series of pipes buried horizontally in trenches that are four to six feet deep. The trenches are constructed to accommodate three to four 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 to your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.
Originally, these piping system were placed in vertical trenches that required a larger expanse of land to encase them. As technology advanced it was discovered that layering 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 is the reason for the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.
In situations where there’s not enough land available, a vertical loop system is an option. It’s also a great alternative for homes in urban areas, in areas where the topsoil layer is thin, and there is not enough space for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system can be the ideal solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone area and cannot support the horizontal loops.
A geothermal lake or pond heat pump is the ideal option for your home in the event that you have access an ample amount of water. This type of system is similar to a horizontal or a vertical ground loop geothermal heating pump however, instead of using earth to heat and cool it uses water to heat and cool. Keep in mind that a geothermal loop system using the pond or lake cannot function in the event of power failure. A backup generator needs to be installed to supply an electric source during this period.
Desuperheater
Geothermal cooling and heating is a very efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes time to switch homeowners must consider balancing upfront costs and energy savings in the long run. There are a myriad of factors that come into play such as the local climate and soil makeup. One of the most important choices is whether or not to bury ground loops, or use an external tank for hot water. The latter is cheaper, but it may not provide as much efficiency.
A desuperheater can be described as a piece of equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal system to your hot water tank in your home. It is designed to operate in the winter when the cooling process of the system generates excess heat. The desuperheater uses this waste heat to improve the efficiency of heating in your home. It can also cut down on your energy usage by using existing sources.
The optimal design of a desuperheater is determined by a variety of physical, thermal, and geometric variables. These include the injection angle, the temperature of the spray water, and the nozzle’s design. These are all aspects that can affect the performance and operation of the desuperheater.
In the summer months, a desuperheater can save up to 80 percent more in a climate with a high degree of heating than a conventional hot water heater. This is because the desuperheater uses the energy removed from the house in the cooling process and converts it to useful heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can supply domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months a year, at a fraction of the cost of other energy sources.
The desuperheater is also useful in the winter, when a geothermal heating system is at its lowest capacity. The device takes away the extra heat generated by the cooling system and adds it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to make use of the energy that is free and boosts the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater may also be used to reduce the length of time a geothermal system is active in a climate with a high degree of heating.