Geothermal Alliance of Illinois Loop Field Sizing Ground

Geothermal Alliance of Illinois Loop Field Sizing

Ground Source “Misconceptions” • Grout isn’t important • It works everywhere!!! • XXX ft per ton is adequate everywhere!!! • The loops must be at fault GAOI -Sizing Fround Lops 2

A good field • • • Keeps fluid temperatures between 30 and 90 degrees or less Low friction/head loss Doesn’t leak Placed correctly Cost effective GAOI -Sizing Fround Lops 3

How Geo-Exchange Works Geothermal Bore Field acts As a battery storing Heating energy in the summer Releasing it in the winter Thermal Conductivity 7/30/2013 ASHRAE PDS MODULE 3 GAOI -Sizing Fround Lops 4 4

Hybrid Geo-Exchange Systems Excess Heat FLUID COOLER Cooling Dominated 7/30/2013 ASHRAE PDS MODULE 3 GAOI -Sizing Fround Lops 5 5

STEP ONE How Much Pipe (Loop) Do We Need In Our • Determine Load System? of the home • Step Two How Can We Install It? • Determine loads of the home Where Can We Install It? • Don’t stand on the street and hold up your thumb When Can We Install It? • Run a manual J or what ever you prefer What Site Preparation is Needed?

Use Your Resources • Most of the Manufactures have sizing programs • Enertech Geoanalyst • Climate Master Geodesigner • Waterfurnace Geolink

Programs will give you a field • • • Number of loops Depth Pipe size Type anti-freeze Use this info to get quotes Do not rely on driller to decide footage per ton

Larger Home • • • Call an Engineer They will use GLHEPRO, Geokiss Month by month loads and peaks Conductivity test Stamped drawing

Where Will We Install The Ground Loop and what type? • Proper Setback Distances • Public Utilities • Private Utilities • Building Entry • Future Land Use • Accessibility • Owner’s Preferencences

How Do We Install The Loop Field?

Horizontal Chain Trenched • • Least Costly Method Quick To Install Requires Most Space Dependant on Soil Conditions • Longer Time To Reach Peak Performance • Limits Future Land Use

Horizontal Bucket Trench • Less Costly Method • Requires Large Space • Slightly More Time Consuming • Largest Footprint on Landscape • Effective in Adverse Soil Conditions (Not Rock) • Limits Future Land Use

Horizontal Directional Drill • More Costly Method • Requires Large Space • Dependant On Soil Conditions • Ideal For Avoiding Many Above or Below Ground Obstructions • More Future Land Use Options • Relatively Small Footprint

Pond And Lake Loops • Less Costly Method • Must Have A Pond • Need Permission If Shared Property • Pond Must Be Large Enough • Pond Must Be Deep Enough • Pond Must Be Close Enough

Vertical Drilled Loops • Most Costly Method • Requires Smallest Space • Largest Short Term Mess • Least Dependant On Soil Conditions • Specific Placement Requirements • Three Phase Installation Process

Drilling Is Not An Exact Science • Some Areas Will Be Messier Than Others • Every Site Requires Its Own Consideration • Some Days Are Better Than Others