Geothermal HVAC
In contrast to traditional HVAC systems that run on natural gas, fuel oil propane, electricity or fuel oil geothermal can provide two-in-one cooling and heating. The temperatures of the earth below the surface stay fairly constant throughout the year.
Geothermal systems consist up of a heatpump underground loops, and an distribution system. Learn more about the various components of this energy-efficient system.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is the main element to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and durability. It consists of pipes that are cut or drilled in the yard and connect to the heat pump in your home. The pipes will be filled with water-based solution and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below surface level, which makes it a great energy source for geothermal systems.
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 pushed back into the loop, where it starts the process of circulating. In cooling mode, the system utilizes the opposite process to eliminate the excess heat and return it to the loop where it starts a new cycle.
In a closed loop system the piping is filled with a water-based solution, and then is buried in the ground. The solution is safe and non-toxic to the environment, and it does not affect the water supply in underground. The system can also make use of the pond or lake to provide heat transfer fluid, making it more sustainable.
Depending on the available space, closed and open systems can be installed either vertically or horizontally. Vertical systems require fewer trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is often utilized in areas with shallow soil depths or in areas where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.
Regardless of the type of ground loop system, it is essential to select a reliable installer. It is essential to have an efficient and well-designed system as geothermal systems use a lot of energy. A properly installed system will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system and can save your money on electricity costs in the long run. It is also crucial to have the system flushed frequently to eliminate any mineral buildup. This can reduce the flow of the heat transfer fluid and reduce the efficiency of the system. GeoDoctor experts can help you select the right system for your home.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy is the energy that comes from the Earth that is utilized to heat and cool buildings. It can be harnessed by underground loops which absorb thermal energy and then transfer it into your building. Vertical ground loops are the most commonly used geothermal system. This kind of system is typically employed in commercial and residential applications. The heat pump in this system takes the thermal energy from the ground and transfers it to your office or home. In the summer it reverses to provide cooling.
The pipes that are buried store thermal energy that is transferred from the earth to your house. These pipes are a key component of any geo thermal HVAC system. The pipes are made of Polyethylene with high density and circulate water and propylene glycol which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the water or soil remains relatively constant for just a few feet below the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system can be more efficient than other heating methods like gas boilers or furnaces.
These loops can either be inserted into the horizontal direction of a trench or placed in boreholes drilled from 100 to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches work best for large properties with lots of land while vertical boreholes are ideal for homes and businesses with little space. Installing a horizontal ground loop involves digging trenches that can take a considerable amount of time and effort. The ground must be compacted to ensure that the loops are firmly connected to the soil.
On the other hand vertical loop systems can be set up much faster and more easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician digs holes of 4 inches in diameter, spaced 20 feet apart. He then installs the pipe to form a closed circuit. The number of holes needed will depend on the dimensions of your building as well as the energy needs.
To keep your geothermal heating and cooling system at peak performance It is essential to maintain the loop fields. This includes removing debris and conducting periodic bacteriological testing.
Horizontal Loop
Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your house and the ground or a nearby body of water, instead of from the outdoor air. This is due to the fact that ground and water temperatures remain relatively stable, in contrast to the fluctuating outdoor temperature. The size and layout of your property will determine which loop to use. The type of loop used and the installation method used determine the effectiveness and efficiency of your geothermal heating system.
Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems make use of a set of pipes buried horizontally within trenches that are four to six feet deep. The trenches can house up to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected to an amanifold that is the central control unit of the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold then sends chilled and heated water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.
Initially, these piping systems were placed in vertical trenches that required a larger expanse of land to encase them. As technology improved it was realized that layering a single pipe back-and-forth in varying depths within shorter trenches decreased costs and space requirements without necessarily losing performance. This was the birth of the “slinky” method of constructing horizontal geothermal loops.
A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to horizontal geothermal heat pump system for situations in which there is not enough land available. It can also be an option for homes located in urban areas, in which the topsoil is scarce and there is little if any room for horizontal loops. A vertical loop system can also be the best solution if your property is in an earthquake-prone area and is not able to support the horizontal loops.
If you have plenty of water available, ponds or lakes can be an excellent option for your home. This kind of system is similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heating system however instead of using earth for cooling and heating the water is used. It is crucial to note that a geothermal system using a pond or lake loop will not work in the event of a power failure. A backup generator needs to be installed to supply a source of electricity during this period.
Desuperheater
Geothermal cooling and heating is a highly efficient alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to switching homeowners must consider balancing the initial costs with the total savings on energy. There are many aspects to consider including the local climate and soil’s composition. One of the most important choices is whether to put in ground loops or build an external hot water tank. The latter is less expensive but may not provide the same 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 takes this wasted heat and utilizes it to improve the efficiency of your home’s heating. It also reduces the energy use by utilizing pre-existing resources.
The optimum design for a desuperheater depends on several physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These variables include the angle of injection, the temperature of the water spray, and the nozzle’s design. These are all significant elements that impact the performance and operation of the desuperheater.
In a climate that is dominated by heating, a desuperheater can save you up to 20% more than an ordinary water heater during the summer. The desuperheater transforms the energy removed from the house during cooling into heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can provide domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months of the year, at a fraction of the cost of alternative energy sources.
The desuperheater is also useful in winter, when the geothermal heating system is 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 make use of this energy for free and also increases the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater can even be used to reduce the length of time a geothermal system is active in a climate with a high degree of heating.