Geothermal HVAC
Geothermal is a dual-purpose system that can provide both heating and cooling. The temperatures of the earth below the surface stay fairly constant throughout the year.
A geothermal system is made up of a heatpump underground loops, and the distribution system. Find out more about this energy-efficient system’s components:.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is essential to the effectiveness and longevity of geothermal heating and cooling system. It is comprised of pipes that are cut or drilled in the backyard, and then connected to your home’s heat pump. The pipes are then filled with a solution containing water that circulates to absorb or disperse heat according to the requirements of your home. The ground’s temperature is relatively constant four to six feet below the surface, making 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 returned to the loop where it begins circulating again. In cooling mode, the system uses the reverse process to remove the excess heat and return it to the loop, where it begins the next cycle.
In a closed loop system, the pipes are filled with a water-based product and buried in the ground. The solution is safe and non-toxic to the environment, and does not affect the underground water supply. The system can use lakes, ponds or other body of water as a source for heat transfer fluid. This is also environmentally friendly.
Both closed and open systems can be vertical or horizontal, according to the space you need. Vertical systems require less trenches and cause less disturbance to your landscaping than horizontal systems. It is used in areas where soil depths are low or in areas where existing landscaping must be maintained.
Regardless of the type of ground loop system, it is important to choose a reliable installer. It is important to have a well-functioning and well-designed system, since geothermal systems consume a lot of energy. A well-designed installation will ensure the longevity of your geothermal system, and will save you money on electric bills in the long run. It is also crucial to have the system flushed frequently to eliminate any mineral buildup, which could hinder the flow of the heat transfer fluid and hinder system efficiency. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to select the best system for your home.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy is the energy derived from the Earth that is used to cool and heat buildings. It is a source of energy that can be harnessed using underground loops that absorb thermal energy and then transfer it to your building. Vertical ground loops are the most common geothermal system. This type of geothermal system is commonly used in residential and commercial applications. This system makes use of an energy pump to transfer thermal energy from the earth into your home or office. In the summer it reverses to provide cooling.
The pipes that are buried 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 from Polyethylene with high density and circulate water as well as propylene glycol, a food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of soil or water is relatively constant only a few feet below the surface. The closed-loop geothermal system can be more efficient than other heating methods like gas boilers and furnaces.
These loops can be installed in a horizontal trench, or put into boreholes dug to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches work best for large homes with lots of land, vertical boreholes are suitable for businesses and homes with limited space. The installation process for horizontal ground loops entails digging extensive trenches that can require considerable time and effort. The ground must also be compacted to ensure that the loops remain attached to the soil.
On the other side, a vertical loop system can be installed quicker and with less effort than a horizontal loop field. The technician makes holes that are 4 inches in diameter, spaced about 20 feet apart. He then connects the pipe to create an enclosed circuit. The number of holes needed will be determined by your building’s size and the energy requirements.
It is crucial to maintain the loop fields to keep your geothermal system operating at its peak. This involves cleaning the loop fields and conducting periodic bacteriological tests.
Horizontal Loop
Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home, the ground, or a nearby body water instead of the air outside. This is due to the fact that the temperatures of water and ground remain relatively stable, compared to the fluctuating temperature of outdoor air. The size and layout of your property will determine the type of loop you use. The type of loop you choose and the installation method used determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.
Horizontal geothermal heat pumps utilize a series of pipes buried horizontally in 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 central control unit. The manifold is a conduit for heated or chilled water into your home’s heating or cooling ductwork.
Originally these pipes were buried in vertical trenches, which required more land area to cover the pipes. As technology improved, it was found that layering a single longer pipe back and forth various depths in trenches that were smaller could reduce space requirements and costs without the loss of performance. This led to the invention of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.
In situations where there’s not enough space, a vertical ground loop system is an ideal alternative. It’s also a great option for homes located in urban areas, where the topsoil is a bit thin and there isn’t enough space for horizontal loops. If your property is in an earthquake-prone region and is not able to support an horizontal loop system, the vertical loop might be the best option.
A geothermal pond or lake pump is the ideal option for your home in the event that you have access an abundance of water. This type of system works similar to a horizontal or vertical ground loop geothermal heat pump but the water is used for heating and cooling, not the earth. Be aware that a geothermal loop system using a lake or pond cannot function in the event of a power failure. Installing a backup generator will supply electricity during this time.
Desuperheater
Geothermal heating is a reliable alternative to conventional methods. When it comes to switching homeowners must balance the initial costs with the energy savings in the long run. There are a myriad of aspects to consider including the local climate and soil makeup. One of the most important choices is whether or not to bury ground loops or to use an external tank for hot water. The latter option is more affordable, but it may not provide the same efficiency.
A desuperheater transfer heat from geothermal heating systems to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to operate in the winter when the cooling process of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater eliminates this waste heat and uses it to increase your home’s heating performance. It also reduces the energy use by using existing sources.
The ideal design for a desuperheater is determined by a variety of physical, geometric, and thermal variables. These include the spray temperature and the angle of the injection, and the shape of the nozzle. These are all important factors that affect the performance and operation of the desuperheater.
In a climate dominated by heating, a desuperheater will save you as much as 80percent more than a conventional water heater during the summer. The desuperheater converts the energy removed from the home during cooling into heat for the hot-water generator. This allows the geothermal system to create domestic hot water for 3-5 months of the 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 is able to add the extra heat generated by the cooling system to the domestic hot-water tank. This allows the hot water tank to utilize the energy that is free and boosts the system’s heating capacity. Desuperheaters are also an excellent way to cut down on the time that geothermal heating systems are operating when it’s in a climate that has a large demand for heating.