Ground Loop Sizing and Groundwater Levels: Important components of a geothermal heating and cooling system

Often during the hot summer months, New Jersey and Pennsylvania may go without rain for a period of time, creating drought conditions. While the brown grass is an obvious sign that the ground is dry, underground water levels are also subsiding. Lowered underground water levels affect the steady underground temperatures your geothermal heating and cooling system depend on to keep your home cool during the summer. Homeowners with horizontal loops which are not buried deep into the ground and those with inappropriately sized systems may experience cooling troubles during these dry periods.

When systems are undersized, there aren’t enough loops to exchange heat in the ground, which hurts during these dry times. More loops could be placed, but this investment would be pretty great just to solve a problem that only affects a home during extreme weather periods that aren’t typical.

Luckily, extreme droughts don’t seem to damage geothermal heating and cooling systems- they only affect their power to sufficiently cool the home. Your system has controls which will shut down if conditions that are too extreme for operation are detected. If this happens, simply call the installer to come check components such as water flow and refrigerant levels to ensure the system is in good condition.

Picking a quality geothermal heating and cooling system installer to do your initial installation and system design can help you combat the possibility of being affected during times of drought. The qualified installers at Smith Sustainable Design take these factors into consideration when designing your system to ensure you’ll receive optimal cooling when you need it. We’ll discuss the proper placement of ground loops and whether.

Storm proof your HVAC with a geothermal heating and cooling system

From hurricanes to hail storms and snow storms, New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents see their fair share of inclement weather. Outdoor HVAC components, like traditional air conditioner units, can be ravaged by bad storms. Flooding can cause underground fuel tanks used in heating to rise. The storms we experience can do a number on this equipment, rendering it useless or in need of expensive repairs.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems are a storm proof choice. Components are buried underground and housed inside your home. They are not subjected to harsh outdoor elements like other equipment is.

After Hurricane Sandy, many homeowners in New Jersey and Pennsylvania areas began searching for information about geothermal heating and cooling systems. These homeowners had experienced major losses and were looking for alternatives to protect their heating and cooling systems from weather damage. Often times, homeowners were considering a switch to geothermal heating and cooling systems before damage was incurred, and decide to make the jump when their old equipment is damaged beyond repair.

The rise in geothermal heating and cooling system installations in the area poses great benefits to the homes and buildings where they are being added. The protected components will save owners money in the long run, sparing damage expenses and insurance damage claims. Geothermal heating and cooling systems are also reducing the emissions of the buildings where they are installed. With over 40 percent of the world’s energy use being consumed by buildings, geothermal heating and cooling systems are substantially lowering the amount of energy needed to fuel the heating and cooling needs.

If you’re looking for an HVAC alternative that can stand up even to the toughest weather conditions, consider a geothermal heating and cooling system. Smith Sustainable Design is an experienced geothermal heating and cooling system installer who can provide additional details of their benefits for your application.

What does a geothermal heating and cooling system do?

A geothermal heating and cooling system doesn’t produce warm air through combustion like a furnace does. Instead, it utilizes the natural energy below ground to absorb heat and reject heat back into the earth. Using a ground loop as a method for heat exchange, warmed fluid is circulated below ground and back up inside a building to the heat pump, which moves conditioned air to specific areas of a building.

When a geothermal heating and cooling system is used for cooling in warmer months, the earth is used as storage for excess heat. The heat pump absorbs the excess heat from inside a building and uses the fluid-filled ground loop to send the heat below ground for depositing. While it may be hot on the surface, below ground temperatures remain steady and cool all year long- this enables heat from the building to be easily absorbed below ground.

When heating mode is utilized, the geothermal heating and cooling system works in reverse. The ground loop absorbs heat from below ground and moves it up to the building. This heat is distributed to the needed areas by the heat pump. Even though the ground may be frosty, the below ground temperature is toasty enough to provide heat for use indoors.

One added perk of geothermal heating and cooling systems is supplemental hot water. A desuperheater is a water to refrigerant heat exchanger which can be tied into a geothermal heating and cooling system’s ground loop. It doesn’t hurt the efficiency of the system’s heating and cooling capacities, and provides hot water for the building pretty much for free. Plus, when a hot water system is tied into the geothermal heating and cooling system, efficiency is actually increased, because less heat needs to be deposited back below ground.

A geothermal heating and cooling system very complicated; more so than traditional forced air furnaces and air conditioners. A properly sized earth loop and heat pump is important. If you have questions about what a geothermal heating and cooling system does, feel free to contact us. The geothermal heating and cooling system contractors at Smith Sustainable Design are available to answer any questions you may have.

Ground source heat pumps: ground loop design

A crucial element of the design of any ground source heat pump system is the ground loop, which works to collect and disperse heat underground. Installation methods vary, and are chosen to fit the needs of the individual system. The ground loop design can vary based on excavation costs, terrain, climate, and the heating and cooling requirement of the structure. The most popular ground loop design configurations are the vertical and horizontal closed loop, and the pond loop, which are discussed below.

Horizontal closed loop

A horizontal closed loop absorbs the natural heat below ground for use inside the structure, and also deposits unneeded heat back into the earth. As the name implies, horizontal loops are installed horizontally across the available ground. A horizontal loop requires more ground space, as the piping is laid at a shallow depth rather than in deep wells- the trenches where the piping is installed are approximately 6 feet deep. Ground temperatures closer to the surface vary with the changing seasons.

Vertical closed loop

Instead of laying the piping in shallow trenches, a vertical closed loop is installed several hundred feet below ground in deep bore holes. By drilling deep holes, less surface area is needed for installation because of the consent temperature. The ground temperatures at 25 to 30 feet start to become constant. Ground source heat pump system applications which do not have significant ground space are ideal candidates for vertical closed loop design and installation.

Pond loops

Instead of utilizing underground temperatures for heat exchange, a pond loop utilizes a body of water. In this scenario, a lake or pond near the building is used for installation, and the ground loop placed below the surface. If there is not an existing body of water, one may be constructed specifically to meet the needs of a ground source heat pump system. Not all bodies of water are suitable for ground loop placement- the depth and size of the pond or lake must be able to withstand the heating and cooling load of the building.

When designing a ground source heat pump system, loop design is a crucial factor which can determine the success and efficiency of your system. The experts at Smith Sustainable Design will survey the available area and factor in the building’s heating and cooling need to determine which ground loop design is appropriate for each application.

Geothermal Heat System Maintenance

Maintaining your geothermal heat system should always be included in your home maintenance routine. Maintenance is crucial to protecting your system and maximizing performance. Geothermal heat system maintenance has different considerations compared to a traditional furnace: here are the areas you need to be sure to pay attention to.

Antifreeze Levels

Maintaining the proper level of antifreeze in your geothermal heat system’s ground loop is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the entire system. Without the proper amount of antifreeze, the fluid in you loop field could freezer and cause damage to your geothermal heat system. When performing routine maintenance, have your technician check the antifreeze levels in your system-improper levels may be a sign of a leak in the ground loop.

Piping

The piping used to create the ground loop portion of your system is very durable and should not need maintenance. Even so, during a maintenance inspection, your piping should be checked to make sure there are no leaks in the system. Any leak can prevent your geothermal heat system from functioning at its best, and should be corrected immediately.

Ducts

Your duct work transfers heating and cooling from the geothermal heat system into your home. If the ducts aren’t up to par, your geothermal heat system can’t provide the comfort levels you want indoors. Ducts should be inspected for leaks and other damage, and corrected so that conditioned air can flow properly into the home.

Dirt and Debris

Dirt and debris buildup anywhere in your geothermal heat system is bad news. This buildup can cause damage to system components and affect the quality of your indoor air. A geothermal heat system technician will clean crucial components during maintenance to prevent damage to the mechanical components. Removing dirt and debris will also help improve the overall efficiency of your system.

Utilizing geothermal heating and cooling systems for offices

Geothermal heating and cooling systems are commonly used in residences, but have great advantages when used in office settings and other commercial environments. While once cost prohibitive, they are an economical choice for heating and cooling for businesses in many different industries. In an office environment which houses multiple employees, geothermal heating and cooling systems provide practical solutions for maintaining indoor comfort at an affordable cost.

Geothermal heating and cooling system basics

Geothermal heating and cooling systems move heat from one location to another. Geothermal systems utilize underground sources or bodies of water to absorb and release heat. A system of underground piping is used to exchange heat and bring it into the structure. Geothermal heating and cooling systems offer high efficiency, low cost, reduced maintenance, and environmentally friendly heating and cooling for various applications.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems for office use

Geothermal heating and cooling system offer the same benefits for offices as they do homes. In an office setting, geothermal heating and cooling systems can be used in conjunction with zoning systems to individually heat and cool offices, maintaining comfortable temperatures for everyone working inside the building. Zoning with geothermal systems provides added control over energy use and further reduces energy costs.

A geothermal heating and cooling system can also be used to move heat from one part of a building to another. For instance, in the winter months, the side of the building with sun exposure is typically much warmer than the shaded side, which can cause discomfort all around. The geothermal heating and cooling system can move the unneeded heat from one area to another, reducing the amount of heat which must be transferred from below ground. By utilizing solar heat, the office building creates another way to reduce energy use and make use of natural heat sources.

Factors affecting the cost of a geothermal heat pump system

One stigma about installing a geothermal heat pump system is the cost- many homeowners assume that these systems are out of their price range. In reality, there are many factors which need to be considered in order to accurately quote the price of a geothermal heat pump system. Different homes have different needs, and some may have qualities that can affect the cost of the overall system.

Does your home have duct work?

If your home has existing duct work which can be used with a geothermal heat pump system, this may reduce the overall system cost. If your geothermal heat pump system installer determines that your duct work is ideal for use with the new geothermal heat pump, you can avoid the cost of running a new duct system through your home.

What’s your heating and cooling load?

The heating and cooling load of your home will play a large part in determining the size of geothermal heat pump system you’ll need. A larger system is typically more expensive than a smaller one. In order to determine the size of geothermal heat pump your home will require, we conduct Manual J calculations to assess the exact amount of heating and cooling your home will need.

Is your property suited for a ground loop?

The geothermal heat pump system uses a ground loop to collect geothermal energy to heat and cool your home. Laying the ground loop will account for a portion of the installation price. Excavating must be done and equipment costs accounted for. We look at the soil conditions and landscaping or structures which could obstruct the ground loop. These factors play a role in determining how the ground loop will be installed, and the final cost of your system.

If you’re interested in a geothermal heat pump system, don’t guess at the cost. Smith Sustainable Design’s team of expert system designers can provide you with an accurate estimate of costs- which may be lower than you think!