Geothermal HVAC
Geothermal is a two-in-one system that provides heating and cooling. The temperature of the earth beneath the surface remains relatively constant throughout the year.
Geothermal systems consist of a heat pump, underground loops and a distribution system (such as air ducts). Find out more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is the key to a geothermal system’s efficiency 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 piping is filled with water-based solution and circulated to absorb or distribute heat based 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 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 within your home. The fluid is then pushed back into the loop, where it starts the process of circulating. In cooling mode, it utilizes the opposite method to eliminate the excess heat. It then returns it to the loop to start another cycle.
In a closed loop system, the piping is filled with a solution made of water and buried underground. The solution is safe for the environment. It does not pollute the water supply in underground. The system can utilize the pond, lake or any other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is even more eco-friendly.
Based on the space available depending on the space available, open and closed systems can be set up vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require fewer trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is often used in areas in which soil depths are low or where existing landscaping needs to be preserved.
No matter what type of ground loop system you choose, it is essential to select an experienced installer. It is essential to have a well-functioning and well-designed system, as geothermal systems use a lot of energy. A quality installation will ensure the long-term viability of your system and help you save energy costs in the long-term. It is crucial to flush the system on a regular basis to eliminate any minerals which could affect the flow and efficiency of the liquid used to transfer heat. GeoDoctor experts can help you determine the right system for your house.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy is derived from the Earth and is utilized to cool or heat buildings. The energy is harnessed using a series of underground loops that absorb thermal energy and then transfer it to your building. Vertical ground loops are the most popular geothermal system. This kind of geothermal system is used most often in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system takes the thermal energy from the ground and carries it to your home or office. In the summer, it operates in reverse to provide cooling.
The pipes that are buried store thermal energy that transfers from the earth to your house. These pipes are an essential component of any geo-thermal HVAC system. The tubes are made from Polyethylene with high density and circulate water as well as propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the water or soil remains fairly constant at just a few feet below the surface. This enables the closed-loop geothermal heat pump to be more efficient than other heating systems, such as gas furnaces and boilers.
The loops can be inserted into the horizontal direction of a trench or placed into boreholes that are drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are generally used for larger properties with lots of land available, while vertical boreholes are ideal for homes or businesses that have small spaces. The installation of a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches, which could require a lot of time and effort. Additionally the ground needs to be compacted so that the loops have a firm hold on the soil.
On the other the other hand the vertical loop system can be set up much faster and more easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician makes holes of 4 inches in diameter spaced about 20 feet apart. He then connects the pipe to form an enclosed circuit. The number of holes required will depend on the size of your building and the energy needs.
To ensure that your geothermal cooling and heating system running at its peak it is crucial to maintain the loop fields. This includes removing debris and conducting periodic bacteriological testing.
Horizontal Loop
Geothermal heat pump transfers energy between your home, the ground, or a nearby body water instead of the air outside. The reason is that the temperature of the ground and the water is generally constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures which fluctuate. There are four main types of geothermal heating loops, and the one you choose to use depends on the size of your property as well as its layout. The type of loop used and the method of installation employed determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.
Horizontal geothermal systems make use of series horizontal pipes placed in trenches that are between four and six feet in depth. The trenches can accommodate up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to a manifold, which is the central control unit. The manifold sends heated or chilled water into your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.
In the beginning, these piping systems were placed in vertical trenches that required a larger area of land to surround them. As technology developed and technology improved, it was discovered that layering a single pipe back-and-forth in varying depths within shorter trenches decreased the space required and cost, without necessarily sacrificed performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of installing horizontal geothermal loops.
In situations where there isn’t enough space, a vertical ground loop system is an ideal alternative. It is also a good option for homes located in urban areas in areas where the topsoil layer is thin and there isn’t much space for horizontal loops. If your home is in an earthquake-prone area and cannot support an horizontal loop system, a vertical loop system might be the best option.
If you have lots of water, ponds or lakes can be an excellent option 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, not the earth. It is crucial to note that a geothermal system using a pond or lake loop is not functional in the event of an electrical power failure. A backup generator must be installed to supply an electrical source during this period.
Desuperheater
Geothermal heating is an efficient alternative to conventional methods. But when making the switch homeowners must consider balancing the initial costs with total savings on energy. There are a variety of variables that play into the equation including the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important decisions is whether to bury ground loops or install an external hot water tank. The latter option is less expensive, but may not provide the same level of efficiency.
A desuperheater is a piece of equipment that transfers heat from a geothermal source into your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to function during winter, when the cooling cycle of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater utilizes this heat to boost the heating performance of your home. It helps reduce your energy consumption by using pre-existing resources.
The optimal design of a desuperheater is determined by a variety of physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These factors include the spray temperature and the angle of the injection, as well as the design of the nozzle. These are all aspects that can affect the performance and efficiency of the desuperheater.
In a climate that is dominated by heating, a desuperheater could save you as much as 80% more than an ordinary water heater during the summer. The desuperheater transforms the energy removed from the home during the cooling process into heat for the hot-water generator. This allows the geothermal system to produce domestic hot water for 3-5 months of the year, at less than the cost of other energy sources.
The desuperheater is also able to help in the winter when a geothermal system is running at its lowest capacity. The device eliminates the excess heat generated by the cooling system and adds it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the domestic hot water tank to utilize this free energy, and increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater may also be used to cut down on the time that a geothermal system is active in a heating dominated climate.