Table of Contents
How often should you flush a geothermal system?
If you have an open loop system with your geothermal unit, also known as pump and dump, you should have your coax heat exchanger cleaned every year or two. Unlike the more popular closed loop systems, an open loop system uses fresh water as the transfer medium.
How long do geothermal ground loops last?
What’s the lifespan of a ground loop? Geothermal ground loops can last 50+ years — even up to 100 years! Once installed, the buried ground loop will be a permanent fixture on the property for as long as there is a building to heat and cool.
Can you build on top of geothermal loops?
Yes. But it requires some foresight. Keep the footings away from any freeze/thaw basically.
How deep are geothermal loops?
A water geothermal horizontal loop system utilizes a network of sealed and pressurized plastic pipes that are buried into the ground horizontally, just below the earth’s surface. A Horizontal loop is typically buried 3-5 ft deep and at a length of 500 to 600 feet per ton.
How do you flush a closed loop heating system?
A much better way to flush a closed loop is to open a drain valve near the lowest point in the system and flush water at 1 to 2 gallons per minute. Be careful not to flush too fast; pressure make-up valves are designed to maintain pressure in the loop and may not pass more than 1 or 2 gallons per minute.
How deep are geothermal pipes buried?
It requires trenches at least four feet deep. The most common layouts either use two pipes, one buried at six feet, and the other at four feet, or two pipes placed side-by-side at five feet in the ground in a two-foot wide trench.
Can you build a pool over geothermal lines?
Depends on the geographic location the geothermal installation is being applied. If an in-ground pool already exist, a Cooling Tower most likely will be needed, depends on the size and location of the pool. This is a very energy efficient system and has added benefits.
How long does a chemical flush take?
On average, a system flush should take around 8 hours when done by a professional engineer. In some cases, it can take longer than a few hours and can go on for one or two days if the issues are very severe.
What type of antifreeze solution may be used in ground loops?
Calcium Chloride performs well as an antifreeze in earth loops. It is non-toxic but extremely corrosive. If this type of antifreeze is used, the geothermal heat pump’s water coil heat exchanger must be cupro-nickle.
What does purge mean on a geothermal?
“Purging” is the process of clearing an air conditioner’s (AC’s) unit’s internal lines and hoses. This is frequently done before recharging freon but. many newer model AC units, such as Honeywell units, purge the system on startup.
How long do geothermal loops need to be?
400 to 600 feet long
Horizontal Geothermal Ground Loops A typical horizontal ground loop will be 400 to 600 feet long for each ton of heating and cooling.
When should I replace my geothermal?
Corroded coils will restrict the heat exchange, just like dirt and ice, but corrosion also indicates extreme age that is affecting the whole system. If your geothermal system is over 20 years old at this point, then corrosion usually means it needs replacement.
What liquid is used in geothermal systems?
What Geothermal Fluid is Used in the Ground Loop? There are two commonly used types of fluids that can be circulated through the ground loop system. The Standard Geothermal uses a mix of water, antifreeze (Propylene Glycol), and refrigerant. While, the Waterless Geothermal System uses R-410A refrigerant.
How thick are geothermal pipes?
For example, a typical design for a 3-ton system may use 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 inch pipe headers with 400 feet of 3/4 or 1 inch pipe in each parallel loop. Pipe depths for horizontal loops are typically 3 to 6 feet. A depth of 5 feet is most common.
What is the minimum required Flushing velocity for a geothermal loop?
In order to remove all trapped air from the now completed loop system, a critical minimum flushing velocity of 2 feet per second per circuit or greater is required. Geothermal specialists often install multiple vertical or horizontal loops in parallel to each other, further complicating the process of filling and flushing.
Why do I need to flush a closed loop system?
If It’s a Closed Loop, Why Does it Need to be Flushed? In theory, water should never leak out of a closed loop. While there are closed loop systems that rarely lose water, most closed systems lose a small amount of water during the course of normal operation.
What is the best way to join geothermal connections?
Fusion welding is the only acceptable method of joining outdoor geothermal connections and as a result of being fully trained in HDPE fusion welding, you shouldn’t find any leaks . . . ever. If you’re keen on doing the welding yourself, you’ll want to get a hold of Welder combo machines in order to get the job done.
How much water should I flush out of my Loop?
If the water in the loop is already heavily fouled or dark in color, begin by flushing at a rate of 1-2 gallons per minute from a valve at a low point in the system. It is important to monitor the pressure on the circulating pump during this stage.