What is Geothermal?

Geothermal energy is generated by heat stored beneath the Earth's surface or absorbed heat from underground in the atmosphere and oceans. Although temperatures fluctuate on the Earth's surface, temperatures below the surface are moderate and constant the entire year.

Geothermal heat pumps have been in use since the late 1940s. GHPs use the constant temperature of the earth as the exchange medium. A geothermal heat pump system uses a water-based solution which loops through a building to harness the Earth's constant temperatures to heat and cool a building. It is a cost effective, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly heating and cooling alternative. The heat pump equipment consists of indoor heat pump equipment, a ground loop, and a flow center to connect the indoor and outdoor equipment. It works like a reversible refrigerator by removing heat from one location and depositing it in another location. The ground loop, which is invisible after installation, allows the exchange of heat between the earth and the heat pump. GHP installations are currently in use around the world, and in all regions of  the U.S. According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, GHP systems are the most energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective comfort systems available.

Flexible design requirements, low operating and maintenance costs, durability and energy conservation make GHPs a good choice for residential and commercial applications, including homes, schools, high-rise buildingss, government buildings, apartments, and restaurants. Other characteristics include:

• Low operating cost, high efficiency. Cost of heating, cooling and hot water typically reduced 30-70%. Competitive on initial costs and lower lifecycle costs than most HVAC systems.
• Can simultaneously heat and cool different parts of the same building. Air temperature is comfortable and at evenly distributed, free of hot and cold spots. When on the cooling cycle, unit will produce cool dehumidified air.
• Whisper-quiet operating system; can be set up in multiple zones, with individual controls.
• Requires no outside equipment and significantly less mechanical room space. Traditional heating and cooling systems are subject to rain, ice, debris and extreme temperatures that can cause wear and tear on components. GHP pipes have a 50-year life expectancy; the ground heat exchanger is maintenance free and will last 40-plus years.
• Lower peak demand, savings of 25-50% on energy consumption. Water heated with waste heat from air conditioning at no cost in the summer and at substantial savings in the winter.
• Utility, manufacturer, and government rebates, incentives, and/or tax credits.
• Environmentally efficient climate control, the earth provides over 70% of the energy required to heat and cool. No external venting, no air pollution.

  	In Louisville, Ky., the Waterfront office building and adjoining 750,000 square foot hotel complex are served by geothermal heat pumps with over 4,700 ton capacity for heating and cooling.

Cooling
The system takes the warm air from the building and cools it using the water solution flowing through the loop. It then disperses the cool air through traditional duct work. The warm water continues through the loop and into the pipes outside, beneath the ground. By the time it travels back through and into the building, the water is cooled again to the Earth's temperature.

Heating
When the weather turns cold, the same equipment that cools during the summer will warm in the winter. The water-based solution travels through the buried pipes pulling with it the heat from the ground and pumping it into the unit. The warmer water is then used to heat the air as it is dispersed through the building.

Horizontal Loop
The horizontal loop is the most common construction type and is built using trenches approximately 8 feet deep and 400 feet long. As a general rule, 500-600 feet of pipe is needed per ton of system capacity. A 2,000-square-foot building would need a three-ton system, which means 1,500-1,800 feet of pipe. However, after the trenches are dug, placed and buried, landscaping will not suffer any adverse affects from the pipes.

Vertical Loop
This loop is used when the area around the building is limited. The vertical loop is installed by drilling holes to a depth of between 250-300 feet. U-shaped coils are inserted into the bore holes and sealed to create your loop. Any area near the building with the right soil conditions and enough room will work.

Contact OMNI Geothermal
info@omnienergy.com
337/896-6664