Geothermal heating systems: get in the loop

Geothermal heating systems make use of the Earth’s energy to heat, and cool, your home. By tapping into the consistent underground temperatures below your home, geothermal heating systems provide a natural way to stay warm no matter what temperature the air may be outside. How do geothermal heating systems capture this energy? The answer is the ground loop, a crucial component of any geothermal heating system.

When a geothermal heating system is installed, a ground loop is placed underground near the home. The ground loop is made up of polyethylene or pex-a piping. The ground loop is filled with fluid which collects the Earth’s underground temperatures and conducts this energy for use in the home.

Each system’s ground loop is designed based on several factors, including soil type, climate, size of the structure, and the orientation of the structure in relationship to the lot. Closed-loop systems, including horizontal, vertical, and pond loop systems, use loops of installed piping to facilitate heat exchange. Horizontal and vertical systems are buried underground, and pond loop systems are installed in sizeable bodies of water, like a nearby pond or lake. Open-loop systems utilize clean groundwater for energy, tapping into a well to gain heat in the winter, and deposit heat in the summer. Whichever loop system is recommended for your geothermal heating system, they each have approximately the same operating costs as well as efficiency. A quality loop installation for your geothermal heating system will help your loop last longer.

For more information on geothermal heating systems, stay in the loop with Smith Sustainable Design. Call us today to learn more about loop design options for a new geothermal heating system, or how to maintain the components of your current system.