GEOTHERMAL SERVICES

GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS

Ground source heat pumps tap into the earth and use the relatively consistent heat found in the ground, a pond, or well to provide both cooling and heating at very high efficiency levels.

A geothermal heat pump system is one of the most efficient means of providing climate control in a structure. The complete system consists of a heat pump, an air delivery system (ductwork), and a ground loop. The ground loop is simply a heat exchanging system of pipes placed into the ground or water.

The system can operate in one of two states. It can either move heat into a building or out of it. In the cooler months, the heat pump removes heat from the ground loop and pumps it into the indoor air delivery system. During the warmer months, the process is reversed and the heat pump moves heat from the indoor air out to the ground loop.

The heating process involves pumping water (often containing antifreeze) through pipes in the ground. As the water circulates underground it absorbs heat from the ground. On its return, the now warmer water passes through a heat exchanger which uses electricity to extract the heat from the water. The result is heat energy and cooler water. Following the extraction, the re-chilled water is sent back through the ground loop to continue the cycle. The heat pump then uses the heat energy extracted from the water and the heat energy generated by the heat exchanger to heat the house. The same system used for heating can be used to circulate cooled water through the house for cooling. The processed is simply reversed and heat is transferred from the home to the ground surrounding the loop field.

Geothermal heat pumps use much less energy than conventional heating systems, since they draw heat from the ground. They are also more efficient when cooling your home. Not only does this save energy and money, it reduces air pollution as well

GROUND LOOPS

RES Ground loops systems consist of a pipe network used to gather or disperse heat energy from the earth. Several types of loops exist, but closed loops are most commonly used in conjunction with ground source heat pumps.

There are 4 loop systems used by Geothermal systems.

Horizontal Closed Loops

Horizontal loops are installed where soils can be excavated easily. Since they take up more land area than any other loop system, they are used where space is not a limitation. A trench is dug on the property, and the pipe is buried in one continuous loop or a series of parallel loops. Landscaping may be required to renovate installations.

Vertical Closed Loops

Vertical loops are often used where land area is limited, where it would be difficult to dig the more economical horizontal loops. Several pairs of pipes with a U-bend assembly at the bottom are inserted into a series of deep bore holes which are then grouted to ensure good heat transfer. Drillers have to pay special attention to the makeup of the soil as stone and rock deposits can complicate drilling.

Lake or Pond Closed Loops

If a pond or lake is available, the heat pump loops can utilize the water rather than the soil to transfer heat. The pipe loop must be weighted properly to remain on the bottom of the lake and to avoid shifting.

Lake or pond loops are usually less expensive to install than trenching into the ground as t

Water or Well Open Loops

Open loop systems extract or reject heat directly from or to a water well and return the water in accordance with environmental regulations. Water quality and quantity must be ensured before an installation of this style can be done. RES typically avoids this type of system due to impurities entering the loop and the increased potential for fouling.

RADIANT HEATING

Radiant heating systems supply heat directly to floors, walls, or ceilings within a structure. The system is largely dependent on the delivery of heat directly from the heated surface to the people and objects in the room. The heat energy can come from fossil fuels, electricity, geothermal , or a combination.

Buildings equipped with radiant heat systems have interior environments that are highly favorable to human thermal comfort. Unlike many systems that directly heat the air, radiant floor heating gently warms the surfaces of objects in the room as well as the air itself. The warm surfaces significantly reduce the rate of heat loss from the occupants, allowing most to feel comfortable at room temperatures 3 to 5 degrees fahrenheit lower than with other methods of heating.

WIth radiant heat the air temperature at floor level is slightly higher than the average room temperature. This significantly reduces the rate of heat loss from the feet and legs. Several feet above the floor, the air temperature slowly begins to decrease. Most people tend to feel more alert with slightly lower air temperatures at head level. With radiant heat, the lowest air temperatures in the room typically occur just below the ceiling. The result is reduced heat loss through the ceiling insulation and hence lower heating costs.

Unlike warm air, radiant energy travels equally well in any direction. Up, down or sideways, direction simply doesn’t matter. This characteristic allows a heated ceiling to deliver radiant heat to the room below.

By placing hyrdonic tubing into a structure (poured foundations, walls, floors, ceilings) significant climate control can be garnered. Heat energy can be injected and controlled to provide a consistent and comfortable living environment.

SNOW MELT

Snow melt systems are radiant system specifically designed to prevent ice accumulation in outdoor, high traffic areas. Driveways, walkways, parking areas, stairways, and loading docks located in colder climates are prime candidates for snow melt systems.

Snow melt systems are outdoor radiant systems used to bring surfaces above freezing to prevent the buildup of ice and snow.

Common applications include walkways, driveways, stairways, and parking areas. Typically, hydronic tubing gets embedded during the construction phase of a project, but retrofits can be achieved using sawing and other minor invasive techniques.

Snow melt systems have some significant advantages when compared to other forms of preventing ice. First, they are predominantly invisible after installation and don't add any significant dimension to the overall construction. Second, they are substantially more friendly to the environment than the use of salt or chemical de-icers. Third, the entire system can be automated by monitoring outdoor climate factors. Lastly, when used in conjunction with geothermal, operating cost are very low. With all those factors, it's easy to see why northern climates have adopted the use of the technology.

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