Geothermal HVAC
Geothermal is a system that can provide both cooling and heating. The temperature of the earth below the surface is relatively constant throughout the year.
A geothermal system consists of the 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 main element to a geothermal system’s efficiency and longevity. It is comprised of pipes that are cut or drilled in the backyard and connected to the heat pump in your home. The piping will be filled with a water-based solution and circulated to absorb or distribute heat based on the needs of your home. The temperature of the ground is constant between four and six feet below the surface, which makes it an ideal energy source for geothermal systems.
When the system is heating, the liquid used to transfer heat absorbs heat from the earth. It then transmits that heat to the heat pump inside your home. The fluid is then pushed into the loop, which then starts to circulate. In cooling mode, the system employs the opposite method to eliminate the heat that is left and return it back to the loop, where it starts the next cycle.
In a closed loop system the piping is filled with a water-based product and is buried in the ground. The solution is non-toxic and safe for the environment. It does not pollute underground water sources. The system can also use a pond or lake as the source of heat transfer fluid, which is more eco-friendly.
Both closed and open systems can be vertical or horizontal, depending on your space requirements. The vertical system requires fewer trenches than a horizontal system and minimizes disturbance to your landscaping. It is often used in areas in which soil depths are low or where existing landscaping needs to be maintained.
It is important to select an experienced installer regardless of the kind of system. Geothermal systems require a lot of energy to operate, and it is crucial to have an efficient and well-designed system in place. A quality installation ensures the longevity of your geothermal system, and can save you money on electricity bills in the long run. It is crucial to flush the system on a regular basis to eliminate any minerals which could affect the efficiency and flow of the heat transfer liquid. A GeoDoctor expert can assist you to choose the right system for your home.
Vertical Loop
Geothermal energy is the energy that comes from the Earth that is used to cool and heat buildings. The energy is harnessed using a series of underground loops which absorb the thermal energy and transmit it to your building. Vertical ground loops are the most common geothermal system. This kind of system is typically used in residential and commercial applications. This system uses a heat pump to transfer heat from the earth to your home or office. In the summer it reverses to provide cooling.
The thermal energy transferred from the ground to your home is stored in a series 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 water as well as propylene glycol which is food-grade antifreeze. The temperature of the soil or water remains fairly constant for just a few feet below the surface. The closed loop geothermal system is more efficient than other heating methods, like gas boilers or furnaces.
Loops can be installed in the horizontal direction of a trench or placed in boreholes that are drilled from to 400 feet deep. Horizontal trenches are typically used for larger properties with lots of land available, while vertical boreholes are ideal for homes or businesses with limited space. The process of installing a horizontal ground loop involves digging large trenches that take a lot of time and effort. Additionally the ground needs to be compacted to ensure that the loops are able to hold a solid grip on the soil.
A vertical loop is easier to install than a horizontal field. The technician makes holes of 4 inches in diameter, spaced 20 feet apart. He then installs the pipe to create an enclosed circuit. The number of holes required will depend on your building’s size and the energy requirements.
To keep your geothermal heating and cooling system at peak performance, it is important to maintain the loop fields. This includes cleaning the loop fields as well as performing periodic testing for bacteriological issues.
Horizontal Loop
Geothermal heat pumps transfer energy between your home and the ground or a nearby body of water, rather than being able to draw energy from the air outside. This is due to the fact that temperatures in the ground and in the water remain relatively stable, unlike the fluctuating outdoor air temperature. The size and layout of your property will determine which loop to employ. The type of loop and the installation method used determine the efficiency and effectiveness of your geothermal heating system.
Horizontal geothermal systems make use of series of horizontal pipes that are that are buried in trenches ranging from four and 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 then sends hot and cool water to your home’s heating and cooling ductwork.
Originally these piping systems were installed in vertical trenches that required more land area to cover the pipes. As technology improved, it was discovered that layering a single pipe back and forth at different depths within shorter trenches reduced the space required and cost, without necessarily sacrificed performance. This led to the invention of the “slinky method” of installing horizontal geothermal circuits.
In cases where there isn’t enough space, a vertical ground loop system is a good alternative. It is also a good alternative for homes situated in urban areas, where the topsoil is thin and there isn’t much space for horizontal loops. Vertical loops can also be the best solution when your property is located in an earthquake-prone region and cannot support an horizontal loop.
If you have plenty of water available lakes or ponds can be the ideal option for your home. This kind of system operates similar to vertical or horizontal ground loop geothermal heat pump however, the water is used to heat and cooling, not the earth. It’s important to remember that a geothermal system that uses a pond or lake loop will not function in the event of a power outage. A backup generator must be installed to supply an electrical source during this period.
Desuperheater
Geothermal heating is a reliable alternative to conventional methods. But when making the switch homeowners must weigh upfront costs against the total energy savings. There are many aspects to consider including the local climate and soil’s makeup. One of the most important choices is whether to put in 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 transfer heat from a geothermal heating system to your domestic hot water tank. It is designed to operate during winter, when the cooling cycle of the system produces excess heat. The desuperheater uses this waste heat to boost the heating performance of your home. It can also cut down on your energy usage by utilizing existing sources.
The best design of a desuperheater dependent on several physical, geometric, and thermal factors. These variables include the temperature of the spray water, the angle of injection, and the design of the nozzle. These are all factors that can affect the performance and efficiency of the desuperheater.
In the summer, desuperheaters can help save up to 80 percent in a climate that is dominated by heating than a conventional hot water heater. This is because the desuperheater makes use of the energy that is emitted from the house in the cooling process and converts it into useful heat for the hot water generator. Geothermal systems can provide domestic hot water for 3 to 5 months a year for a fraction of the cost of alternative energy sources.
The desuperheater can also be useful in winter, when the geothermal heating system is operating at its lowest capacity. The device adds the extra heat produced by the cooling system to the domestic hot water tank. This allows the hot water tank to utilize this energy free of charge and increase the heating capacity of the system. The desuperheater is also an effective way to reduce the time that geothermal heating systems are operating when it’s in a location that has a high demand for heating.