Geothermal Installations Types & Ground Loop Options
There are three basic types of Geothermal Home Installations.
New Construction
Changeouts
Retrofits
Ground Loop Options for Your Geothermal Installation
Horizontal Loops
Horizontal loops are ideal for properties with sufficient land. Multiple trenches are dug using a backhoe or chain trencher, into which high-density polyethylene pipes are placed. The trenches are then backfilled. For a typical home, around 1/4 to 3/4 of an acre is needed for the trenches.
Vertical Loops
Vertical loops are ideal for properties with limited space. Using a drilling rig, holes are bored into the ground, and a pair of pipes with u-bend fittings are inserted into each hole. For a typical home, three to five bores are needed, with approximately 15 feet of separation between each.
Pond/Lake Loops
If you have a suitably sized body of water near your home, a pond/lake loop system can be installed. Coiled, closed loops are submerged at the bottom of the water, allowing for efficient heat exchange. For the average home, a pond that is about 1/2 acre in size and 8 feet deep is typically sufficient.
ECS Geothermal - Kansas City Metro Service Areas
