Ground Loops in Alaska, Alaska, Geothermal Applications

You’ve got to have a new heating and cooling system. Maybe you’re weighing the advantages of a new Geothermal HVAC. Whatever the circumstances, you probably want to know a little more about how one works.

Geothermal HVACs take consistent temperature from the ground to deliver hot or cool air to your home’s interior. This is possible because of an underground system called a geothermal ground loop.

Ground loops are basically just an underground pipe system. Various basic sorts of these systems are used for heating and cooling most residential and commercial buildings.

The way it works is, antifreeze fluid flows through these plastic pipes to move heat fast and efficiently up to a heat pump in the building.

Typically used are four different kinds of geothermal ground loops: Open Loop, Pond Loop, Horizontal Loop and Vertical Loop. All four fall into one of two categories: either they’re open loop systems or closed loop systems. The right system for you is determined by the building and its surroundings. Residential systems mostly use vertical or horizontal loops.

Below are further explanations of each kind of ground loop.

Closed systems, which encompass vertical, horizontal, and pond loops, continuously circulate water through them.

Vertical ground loops are the most common type used residentially because, unlike horizontal loops, they don’t require a significant amount of space. They’re positioned by drilling small holes in the ground that extend 100-400 feet deep. Then pipes are driven into the holes and connected below the ground to form the vertical loop. Next, additional pipes are attached that convey fluid to the indoor system to transfer the necessary temperature from the ground.

A horizontal system has to have significantly more space but is typically less expensive since it just uses 2 straight pipes inserted 6 inches down in the ground in an area of ¼ to ¾ acre.

In order to make use of a pond loop system, it should go without saying that you must be in close proximity to a pond, lake, pond, or well. Coils are installed vertically and fastened to the bottom of the water source. Water is then transported through more pipes beneath the earth to a pump, where the heat is drawn out and cool water is put back into the pond. That said, in order for this system to work, the water can never be be acidic or else pipes will corrode and filters will have to be replaced often.

The primary difference between open and closed looped systems is the open loop’s need for an ample source of groundwater, like a well or pond. From there, it directly pumps water into the heat pump unit for use in heating and cooling your dwelling or other structure.

Generally speaking, used water is disposed off in either of these ways: through surface drainage or water re-injection. In returning the water back to the earth, it is crucial to note that there’s no pollution. The only difference in water that’s processed through a geothermal heat pump is a modest change in temperature.