Geothermal HVAC
Geothermal is a system that can provide both heating and cooling. The temperature of the earth beneath the surface is fairly constant throughout the year.
A geothermal system is comprised of the heat pump, underground loops, and a distribution system (such as air ducts). Learn more about the different components that make up this energy-efficient system.
Ground Loop
The Ground Loop is the key to a geothermal system’s effectiveness and longevity. It is made up of pipes that can be drilled or trenched in the yard to connect to your home’s heat pumps. The piping is filled with a water-based fluid and then circulated to absorb or distribute heat depending on the requirements of your home. The temperature of the ground stays constant from four to six feet below the surface, which makes it a natural source of energy for a geothermal system.
When the system is heating up, the liquid that transfers heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then carries the heat to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed into the loop, where it starts circulating again. In cooling mode, it utilizes the opposite method to eliminate the excess heat. It then returns to the loop to start a new 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 it does not pollute the water supply in underground. The system can utilize a pond, lake or other body of water to provide heat transfer fluid. This is also environmentally friendly.
Open and closed systems can be horizontal or vertical, according to the space you need. Vertical systems require fewer trenches than a horizontal one and is less disruptive to your landscaping. It is ideal for areas where soil depths are low or where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.
It is crucial to choose a reliable installer, regardless of the type of system. Geothermal systems require large amounts of energy to operate and it is essential to have a well-designed and efficient system in place. A quality installation ensures the longevity of your geothermal system and can save your money on electricity costs in the long term. It is also critical to flush the system regularly to remove any mineral buildup. This could hinder the flow of the heat transfer fluid and reduce system efficiency. GeoDoctor experts can assist you to choose the best system for your house.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy is the energy from the Earth that is used to heat and cool buildings. It can be harnessed through underground loops which absorb thermal energy and transfer it into your home. The most commonly used type of geothermal system can be known as a vertical ground loop. This kind of geothermal system is typically used 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 works in reverse to provide cooling.
The thermal energy transferred from the ground to your house is stored in a network of underground pipes. These pipes are an essential component of any geo-thermal hvac system. The pipes are made of high-density polyethylene and circulate the mixture of water and propylene glycol which is a food-grade antifreeze through the system. The temperature of the water or soil remains fairly constant at 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.
These loops can be placed in a horizontal trench or inserted into boreholes that are dug to the depth of 100- 400 feet. Horizontal trenches are generally used for larger homes with plenty of land and vertical boreholes are ideal for businesses or homes that have small spaces. Installation of a horizontal ground-loop involves digging trenches that can take a lot of time and effort. In addition, the ground must be compacted to ensure the loops are able to hold a solid hold on the soil.
On the other the other hand, a vertical loop system can be constructed much more quickly and easily than a horizontal loop field. The technician makes 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 building’s dimensions and energy requirements.
It is vital to keep the loop fields in good condition in order to keep your geothermal system running at its best. This includes removing debris and conducting regular bacteriological testing.
Horizontal Loop
Geothermal heat pump transfers energy between your home, the ground, or a nearby body of water instead of the air outside. The reason for this is that the temperature of the ground and water is fairly constant, in contrast to outdoor air temperatures which fluctuate. The dimensions and layout of your property will determine which loop you make use of. The type of loop you choose to use and the installation method determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal system.
Horizontal geothermal heat pump systems make use of a set of pipes that are buried horizontally in trenches that are about four to six feet deep. The trenches are designed to accommodate two to three pipe circuits. The pipe circuits are connected into an amanifold that is the central control unit for the geothermal heat pumps. The manifold is a conduit for heated or chilled water into your home’s cooling or heating ductwork.
In the beginning, these pipes were buried in vertical trenches, which required more land space to surround the pipes. As technology advanced and technology improved, it was discovered that laying a single, longer pipe back and forth at varying depths in shorter trenches could help reduce the space required and cost without sacrificing performance. This led to the creation of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.
A vertical ground loop system is a good alternative to a horizontal geothermal heating system for situations in which there isn’t enough land space available. It’s also a great alternative for homes situated in urban areas, in areas where the topsoil layer is thin and there isn’t enough space for horizontal loops. Vertical loops can also be the best solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone region and cannot be supported by an horizontal loop.
If you have plenty of water lakes, ponds or ponds could be an excellent alternative for your home. This kind of system operates similar to vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump except the water is used to heat and cooling, not the earth. It is important to keep in mind that a system that utilizes lake loops or ponds will not function in the event of a power outage. A backup generator should be installed to supply an electrical source during this time.
Desuperheater
Geothermal heating is a reliable alternative to conventional methods. When it comes time to switch homeowners must balance the initial costs with the total energy savings. Many factors are involved including the soil’s composition and local climate. One of the most important choices is whether or not to put in ground loops or to use an external tank to store hot water. The latter option may be less expensive, however it won’t provide as much efficiency.
A desuperheater is an equipment used to transfer heat from a geothermal system to your hot water tank in your home. It is designed to work in winter when the cooling process of the system generates excess heat. The desuperheater utilizes this heat to boost the efficiency of heating in your home. It also reduces the energy use by utilizing existing resources.
The best design of a desuperheater is dependent on various physical geometric, thermal, and variables. These factors include the injection angle, the temperature of the water spray, and the nozzle’s design. These are all important factors that affect the performance and operation of the desuperheater.
During the summer, desuperheaters can save up to 80 percent more in a climate with a high degree of heating than a conventional hot water heater. The desuperheater transforms the energy taken from the house through cooling into heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can provide hot water to homes for 3 to 5 months per year, at a fraction of the cost of alternative energy sources.
The desuperheater can also help in the winter when a geothermal system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device takes away the extra heat produced by the cooling system and adds it to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to use the energy that is free and boosts the system’s heating capacity. The desuperheater is a great way to reduce the amount of time that a geothermal heating system is in use when it’s in a climate with a high heating demand.