How It Works

Geothermal Loop Systems Save You Money!

 

At the heart of a geothermal system is the earth loop. The earth loop is the vehicle that transfers heat to or from the ground, distinguishing geothermal from conventional equipment.  Earth loops come in two basic types: open and closed.

Open Loops
These loops use ground water pumped from a well as a heat source. The well must have enough capacity to provide adequate flow for both domestic use and the WaterFurnace unit. This technique allows the loop to be placed underneath homes, basements, wooded lots or even swimming pools without disrupting grass or landscaping.

 

 

Closed Loops
These loops are made of durable plastic pipe,are buried in the earth or submerged in a lake or pond,and transfer heat by circulating a solution through the system.  Because water transfers heat better than soil, closed loops can be coiled and placed on the bottom of a pond or lake where it transfers heat to or from the water. A 1/2 acre,8-foot-deep pond is usually sufficient.

Vertical Loops
These loops are installed where space is limited. Installing vertical loops requires the use of a drilling rig. Multiple holes are bored about 10 feet apart. A double pipe connected with a U-bend is inserted in to each hole. The hole is filled with grout to provide good contact around the pipe and to seal the hole. The vertical pipes are then connected to a header system horizontally a few feet below the surface.


Horizontal Loops
These loops are used where adequate land is available. One or more trenches are dug using a backhoe or chain trencher. Pipes are inserted and the trenches are back filled.

Pond/Lake Loops
These loops often require less excavation than vertical or horizontal loops; therefore, they are often less expensive to install.  They can be installed if an adequately sized body of water is located close to the home. A series of coils are sunk to the bottom, connected by a header with supply and return pipes leading to the home.

 

Which Type?
The decision on which loop configuration to use depends on the land terrain, the cost of trenching or drilling, the availability of quality ground water and the availability of land. Your geothermal dealer will help you make the best choice.


You can easily find your local dealer by using our automated dealer locator. Within a few seconds, you will have the name of your local dealer and a quick and easy way to contact them. Click here to use our dealer locator.

 


If you have questions about what benefit a geothermal system will be to you, be sure to read our article on what sort of savings you can expect to receive. This article is called "Have Money to Burn" and you can read it by clicking here.

 

Request a Free Geothermal Information Package
We would be happy to send you a colour package which includes colour literature on the WaterFurnace Product Line. To have one sent, email us with your name and address and we will mail it out to you the next day. We will also have a dealer follow up with you by email to be sure all your questions are answered.
   

WaterFurnace Canadian Stimulus Event
WaterFurnace the leading manufacturer of geothermal residential equipment since 1983 is offering consumers a rebate of $1,200 toward the purchase of a WaterFurnace geothermal unit. Learn More