Residential Geothermal Systems
What is Geothermal?
The earth absorbs almost 50% of all solar energy and remains a nearly constant temperature of 50°F to 70°F depending on geographic location. Working with an underground loop system, a ClimateMaster geothermal unit utilizes this constant temperature to exchange energy between your home and the earth as needed for heating and cooling.
In winter, water circulating inside a sealed loop absorbs heat from the earth and carries it to the unit. Here it is compressed to a higher temperature and sent as warm air to your indoor system for distribution throughout your home.
In the summer, the system reverses and expels heat from your home to the cooler earth via the loop system. This heat exchange process is not only natural, but is a truly ingenious and highly efficient way to create a comfortable climate in your home.
Underground Loop Systems
Horizontal Loops
Horizontal Loops are installed in areas where the soil conditions allow for economical excavation. Taking up more land area than any other loop type, they are used where space permits. Trenches are normally 5 feet deep. Normally, several hundred feet of trench is required
Vertical Loops
Vertical Loops are used extensively where land area is limited. A pair of pipes with a special U-Bend assembly at the bottom are inserted into a bore hole that averages between 150 to 250 feet in depth per ton of equipment
Open Loops
Open Loop installations actually pump water from an underground aquifer through the geothermal unit and then discharge that water to a drainage ditch or pond. Discharging water to a pond or lake is considered ideal.
Lake Loops
Lake Loops are usually very economical to install. If a pond or lake at least 8 feet deep is available, lake loops can utilize the water (rather than soil) for heat transfer. Reduced installation costs are characteristic of this type of loop system
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"Split System" Air Conditioners
A traditional home comfort system has two parts: an indoor unit, such as a furnace or air handler, and an outdoor unit. An air conditioner is the outdoor unit that cools air and sends it to the indoor unit for circulation through your home. Indoor and outdoor units are designed to work together. When the air conditioner is properly matched with a furnace or air handler, you get maximum efficiency and longer system life. Air conditioning and cooling efficiency is measured using a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). A higher SEER means higher energy efficiency. The latest standard for SEER is 13 (beginning January 2006).
Here's what makes it cool
A "split system" central air conditioner includes a compressor, fan, condenser coil, evaporator coil and refrigerant. The system removes heat from indoor air and transfers it outside, leaving the cooled indoor air to be recirculated. A central air conditioning system uses electricity as its power source.
The basic components of an air conditioning system are:
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"Split System" Heat Pumps
A split system heat pump keeps homes comfortable all year long. In summer, it draws heat out of your home to cool it. In the winter, it draws heat from outside air into your home to warm it. Many heat pumps have a booster electrical-resistance heater that automatically heats outside air even more. Outside air always has heat in it -- even at very low outdoor temperatures. Like a central air conditioner, a heat pump includes a compressor, fan, outdoor coil, indoor coil, and a refrigerant. The efficiency of heat pumps is rated using SEER (for cooling efficiency) and HSPF (for heating efficiency). A heat pump uses electricity as its power source.
The basic components of a heat pump are:
- An outdoor Heat Pump section
- A matching indoor Air Handler, or Gas (natural or propane) or Oil Furnace with coil
- Ductwork to transfer the heated or cooled air throughout the home.
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Gas Furnaces
Most home comfort systems have two parts: an outdoor air conditioner or heat pump, and an indoor unit, a furnace. Furnaces heat and circulate warm air in the winter. They also take cool air from the outdoor unit and circulate it through your home in summer. The indoor and outdoor units are designed to work together. When the furnace is properly matched with a heat pump or air conditioner, you enjoy maximum efficiency and extended system life.
Furnace heating ability is measured with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) percentage. A higher AFUE percentage indicates a more efficient furnace. A gas furnace uses natural gas, although some models can be converted to utilize propane. An oil furnace uses heating oil. An electricity source is required to run the control systems, blower and some accessories.
The basic components of a furnace system are:
- A Burner, where gas (natural or propane) or oil is delivered and burned
- A Heat Exchanger, where the heat from the burning gas is transferred to the air distribution system
- Ductwork to transfer the heated air throughout the home
- A Flue or Vent Pipe, to exhaust byproducts of combustion (such as water vapor and carbon dioxide) outside
Single Packages
A Residential Single Package System is a year 'round comfort system in which all equipment is self-contained in one unit and installed outdoors, typically on a concrete slab or other platform.
In the summer, a single package system provides the comfort of central air conditioning. During the colder months, the unit provides heat. Essentially, it is an air conditioner and heating unit in a single package, hence the name.
Models are available using:
- Electricity for resistance heating and cooling.
- Gas for heating and electricity for cooling.
- Heat pump models using electricity.
The efficiency of single packages are rated using SEER (for cooling efficiency), AFUE% (for gas heating efficiency) and HSPF (for heat pump efficiency). Ductwork is required to transfer the heated or cooled air throughout the home.
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Oil-fired burners are used in many parts of the country as the basic heat source for warm air and hot water heating systems. Most of the home oil systems in use today are called pressure burners. In this type of system, oil is sprayed into a combustion chamber at high pressure, propelled by a blower, and ignited by an electric spark. The oil continues to burn as the mist is sprayed. Oil furnace efficiency is measured by the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, (AFUE) rating. The AFUE equals the percent efficiency the unit delivers. The higher the percentage the more efficient the unit
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A study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that indoor air could actually be more polluted than outdoor air.
Considering that most individuals spend up to 90 percent of each day indoors--more than half of that time at home--you may be experiencing indoor air pollution without even knowing it.
Today, homes are sealed more tightly to conserve energy. Unfortunately, this seals in mold, pollen, bacteria and other pollutants. And since the U.S. EPA ranks indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health, many homeowners are concerned.
Fortunately, there's a solution to most indoor air quality problems. Remco, Inc. offers an array of choices designed to ventilate stale indoor air, zap airborne germs, trap airborne particles and moisturize parched air.
Electronic air cleaners can remove up to 95% of airborne dust, pollen, odors, tobacco, and cooking particles. Advanced passive media filters are up to five times better at cleaning than typical furnace filters. Both are installed in your home's ductwork, typically adjacent to a furnace or air handler. Effective filtration systems can help maintain or improve the operating efficiency of heating and cooling equipment. Operating costs savings have been projected as high as 15% over the life of the system.
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Maintenance
It is essential that homeowners follow manufacturer's routine maintenance directions, and have the entire system checked once a year by a qualified service technician.
What Homeowners can Do
Check Filters
- Permanent - Clean with mild detergent, per manufacturer's recommendations, every 30 to 60 days.
- Replaceable - Replace every 30 to 60 days.
Windows and Doors
- Keep closed when system is running.
- Caulk and weatherstrip to close air gaps.
- Close drapes and shades over windows facing sun.
Activities
- During cooling season, don't wash/dry clothes during warmest times of day (late morning and afternoon).
- When cooking, use exhaust fan only as needed.
- Keep thermostat at desired setting.
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Residential Geothermal Tax Incentives
30% of total GHP system cost
Credit limited to $2000 for 2008
No limit to credit amount for 2009 to 2016
Can be used to offset AMT tax
Can be combined with solar and wind tax credits
Can be used in more than one year
Energy Policy Act Certified Models
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)" into law. This bill combines spending and tax incentives designed to get the American Economy moving forward by investing in infrastructure and increasing the energy of residential/commercial buildings in America.
Specifically for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) business, this legislation makes a number of important changes to the existing tax incentives for homeowners who make qualified purchases on high-efficiency HVAC products and equipment in their primary residences. Overall the tax credits available have been increased up to 30% for the installed cost of these improvements, or a total of $1,500 for residential HVAC products installed from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010. Contact us for more details.
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