Earth Loops At the Heart of It All
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The earth loop transfers heat to and from the ground–eliminating the need for fossil fuels. It’s the heart of a geothermal system, and its biggest advantage over ordinary technologies.Earth loops come in two basic types.Closed loops,made of durable, high-density polyethylene pipe, are buried in the earth or submerged in a lake or pond. They transfer heat by circulating a solution of water and environmentally safe antifreeze. Open loops use ground water pumped from a well as a heat source. Which type to use depends on the terrain, the cost of trenching or drilling and the availability of quality ground water and land. |
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Your independent WaterFurnace dealer will help you make the best choice.
Horizontal Loops are used where adequate land is available. One or more trenches are dug using a backhoe or chain trencher. Polyethylene pipes are inserted and the trenches are backfilled.
Vertical Loops are installed where space is limited. Holes are bored using a drilling rig, the pipe is inserted, and the holes are filled. The pipes are connected horizontally a few feet below the surface.
Pond Loops can be installed if an adequately sized body of water is close to the home. A series of coils are placed on the bottom, connected by a header with supply and return pipes leading to the home.
Open Loops are used where there is an abundant supply of quality well water. The well must have enough capacity to provide adequate flow for both domestic use and the WaterFurnace unit.