Types of Installations

Geothermal heating and cooling energy are transported between your home or business using an open or closed loop system.

Open loop systems work well in areas where there is a fairly large volume of clean water available and there is also an acceptable way to discharge that water.

In closed loop installations, a loop fluid (usually water and antifreeze solution) is circulated through the loops to the geothermal unit. This solution is sealed and requires no maintenance. The pipe is a special high-density material that is used extensively by the natural gas industry. All underground joints are thermally fused. A properly installed closed loop has a long life expectancy.

Based on the terrain and available space, closed loops can be installed in a number of ways. Loops can be installed horizontally in trenches, installed in vertical bores holes, or placed at the bottom of ponds and lakes.

From an energy efficiency standpoint, all loops perform about the same. In the heating season, the lop fluid circulates through the loop absorbing heat from the earth and carrying it to your home. The geothermal system then processes the extracted heat and compresses it to a higher temperature which is then distributed throughout the home using traditional duct systems.

In the air conditioning season, this process is reversed, and the geothermal unit absorbs heat from inside the home and sends it back to the cooler earth.

By using the natural temperature of the earth, which is relatively stable all year, a geothermal system is the most efficient method available to provide year-round comfort and high efficient performance.

Horizontal Ground Loops

These are usually installed in areas where the soil conditions allow for economical excavation. Taking up more land area than any other loop type, they are used where space permits. Trenches are normally about 5 feet deep with multiple pipes placed in the trench at different depths. Normally, several hundred feet of trench is required, but where space permits these loops are considered desirable.

Vertical Ground Loops

Are used extensively where land area is limited or soil conditions prohibit digging the more economical horizontal loops. A pair of pipes with a special U-Bend assembly at the bottom is inserted into a borehole that averages between 150 to 450 feet deep per ton of equipment. These holes are then backfilled with a special grout solution to ensure good contact with the earth.

Pond Loops

Pond if a pond or lake at least eight feet deep is available, pond loops can utilize the water (rather than soil) to transfer heat to and from the pond. A coiled pipe is placed in the water, which should cover about 1/2 acre. An average home would be required about 900 feet of pipe. Reduced installation costs and high performance are characteristic of this type of loop.

Open Loop System

Open Loop installations actually pump water from an underground aquifer through the geothermal unit and then discharge that water to a drainage ditch or pond. The geothermal unit processes the heat energy from the water just like a closed-loop installation. Discharging water to a “return” well is sometimes effective, but sending water to a pond or lake is considered more reliable.