What is a geothermal heat pump?
A geothermal or "ground source" heat pump is an electrically powered device that transfers the natural energy stored in the earth and/or the earth's groundwater to heat and cool your home or business.
How effective is this underground system?
The ground loop is the most recent advancement in heat pump technology. Recently, new heat pump designs and improved buried pipe materials have been combined to make geothermal systems the most efficient heating and cooling systems available.
Can these systems be used for commercial, industrial or apartment requirements?
Geofinity systems are being installed using a number of systems hooked up to an array of buried vertical, horizontal and pond loops.
How will I save money?
Geothermal systems save money, by reducing operating and maintenance costs. Investments can be recouped in as little as three years, depending on the current fuel source. There is a positive cash flow, since energy savings usually exceeds payment on the system.
How much does geothermal cost?
The initial investment for a Geofinity system is greater than that of a conventional system. However, when you consider the operating costs of a heating, cooling and water heating system, energy savings quickly offset the initial difference in purchase price.
Are there additional expenses other than the system?
You can expect and installation charge for any electrical work, ductwork, water hook-up, and other provisions or adaptations to your home that are required.
Are Geofinity systems guaranteed?
Geofinity offers a ten year warranty, standard!
Can I install a ground source heat exchanger myself?
It is not recommended. Thermal fusion of the pipe, drilling and trenching are procedures best handled by licensed professionals. Nonprofessional installations may result in less than optimum performance, which could cancel out anticipated savings.
What types of loops are available?
There are two main types: open and closed.
Do I need separate ground loops for heating and cooling?
No. The same loop works for both. All that happens when changing from heating to cooling, or vice versa, is that the flow of heat is reversed inside the unit.
For a horizontal installation, how deep and long will my trenches be?
Trenches are normally five to six feet deep, four to five feet apart and up to 400 feet long, depending on the number of pipes in a trench. One advantage of a horizontal loop system is being able to lay the trenches according to the shape of the land. As a rule of thumb, 500-600 feet of pipe is required per ton of system capacity. A well insulated 2,000 square foot home would need about a three ton system with 1500-1800 feet of pipe.
How long does it take to install a horizontal system?
This depends on soil conditions, length and depth of pipe, and equipment required. A typical installation can be completed in as little as one or two days.
How long does it take to install a vertical or diagonal system?
With these installation, time varies with conditions on the site such as type and depth of the overburden, type and hardness of the bedrock, and the presence of aquifers. Boreholes are spaced approximately ten feet apart. Depending on the system size, typical drilling times are one to two days.
How are the pipe sections of the loop joined?
Pipe sections are joined by thermal fusion. Thermal fusion involves heating the pipe connections and then fusing them together to form a joint that's stronger than the original pipe. This technique creates a secure connection to protect from leakage and contamination.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the horizontal, vertical or diagonal installations, respectively?
Horizontal installations are simpler, requiring lower-cost equipment. However, they require longer lengths of pipe due to seasonal variations in soil temperature and moisture content. Since a horizontal loop field is laid out in trenches, a larger area is required than for a vertical system. Where land is limited, vertical, diagonal or a compact Slinky TM horizontal installation can be ideal. If soil conditions include extensive hard rock, vertical and diagonal installation may be the only choices. Vertical and diagonal installations tend to be more expensive due to the increased cost of drilling versus trenching, but since the loops are buried deeper than with a horizontal system, these systems are usually more efficient and use less total pipe.
It's not recommended. Good earth to coil contact is critical for successful loop operation. In addition, thermal fusion of the pipe, drilling, grouting and trenching are procedures best handled by licensed professionals. Nonprofessional installations may result in less than optimal system performance.
How do I decide what size system I need?
Furnaces are designed to provide specific amounts of heat energy per hour. The term "BTUh" refers to how much heat can be produced by the unit in an hour. Before you can determine what size furnace you will need, you must have a heat loss/heat gain calculation done on the structure. Based on the individual features of your home or office, an accurate determination can be made of the size of the system you will need.
Should I buy a geothermal heat pump large enough to heat with no supplemental heat?
Your contractor should provide a heating and cooling load calculation (heat loss, heat gain) to guide your equipment selection. Geothermal heat pumps typically are sized to meet your cooling requirements. Depending on your heating needs, a geothermal heat pump will supply 80-100 percent of your design heating load. Sizing the heat pump to handle your entire heating needs may result in slightly lower heating costs, but the savings my not offset the added cost of the larger heat pump unit and larger loop installation. Also, an oversized unit can cause dehumidification problems in the cooling mode, resulting in a loss of summer comfort.
What are the environmental benefits of Geofinity systems?
Currently geothermal systems are making a huge difference in our environment! Geothermal heating and air systems are eliminating more than three million tons of carbon dioxide and is equivalent of taking 650,000 automobiles off the road. They conserve energy and because they move heat that already exist rather than burning something to create heat, they reduce the amount of toxic emissions in the atmosphere. They use renewable energy from the sun, and because the system doesn't rely on outside air, it keeps the air inside of buildings cleaner and free from pollens, outdoor pollutants, mold spores and other allergens.
Research has shown that loops have no adverse effects on grass, trees or shrubs. Most horizontal installations require trenches about 6 inches wide. Temporary bare areas can be restored with grass seed or sod. Vertical loops require little space and do not damage lawns significantly.
My yard contains many shade trees. Will this affect ground temperature and my ability to use it as an energy source?
Not at all. The system is installed deep enough that it uses the constant ground temperature of the earth.
Do geothermal systems require much maintenance?
No. Geothermal systems are virtually maintenance free. When installed properly, the buried loop will last for generations. And the other half of the operation---the unit's fan, compressor and pump—is housed indoors, protected by harsh weather conditions. Usually, periodic checks and filter changes are the only required maintenance.