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Geothermal Loop Systems

Geothermal home heating and cooling systems are a great and economical way to keep your home comfortable all year round. The systems work on the same type of principle as an air source heat pump, except that rather than taking heat from the air they are able to take it from the ground.

This is quite advantageous for a variety of reasons, particularly in areas with colder climates. When the temperature drops below freezing, air source heat pumps can have a difficult time getting enough heat from the outdoor air to keep your home warm. However, the ground is always warmer than the air in the winter, so a geothermal heat pump will not run into the same types of difficulties as an air source heat pump would.

When you do decide to go with a geothermal home heating and cooling system, you will still have many different options to consider. This can be a bit overwhelming, but the professionals at Lanz Heating & Cooling have the knowledge and skills needed to keep you on track and help you make the best decision possible. We have been serving customers all over the Champaign–Urbana area for many years and have extensive experience putting in all types of geothermal loop systems.

What Are Geothermal Loops?

The term geothermal loop refers to a system of pipes that is installed as part of a geothermal heating and cooling system. Water or another liquid is circulated through these pipes so that heat can be absorbed from the ground and carried into your home. That heat is then used to warm air inside, which can then be circulated throughout your house.

Horizontal Geothermal Loops

The most common types of geothermal loop systems are those containing horizontal loops. Horizontal loops are closed systems, meaning that the liquid inside the pipes is sealed in there and circulates continuously through the ground, into the house and back out again.

Horizontal loops are installed when there is enough space around your house to accommodate the long loops of pipe. A horizontal system usually needs to be between 100 and 400 feet long and the pipes will be buried about four feet below the surface of the ground.

Vertical Geothermal Loops

If there is not enough space around your house to bury that much horizontal length of pipe, you may opt instead for a vertical loop geothermal system. This involves drilling holes straight down into the ground next to your house so that pipe can be inserted vertically rather than horizontally.

Because the ground is warmer the further down you go, vertical geothermal loops do not need to be as long as their horizontal counterparts. However, drilling is more expensive than simply scooping out a trench on your property, so vertical loops are often more expensive to install.

Geothermal Water Loops

If you have a large body of water close to your home, you may want to opt for a geothermal water loop system. This is very similar to the horizontal loop, but it involves submerging the majority of the pipes in a pond or lake. That way, the system can get its heat from the water rather than from the ground and you can save some money by eliminating the need to dig such a lengthy trench.

Open Loop Systems

An open loop system can be installed when there is an adequate natural groundwater supply available near your home. In this type of system, the groundwater itself is drawn through the pipes and can gather heat from the ground as it travels, eventually arriving at your house where the heat can be extracted. That groundwater, then, is redirected into drainage as new water is drawn in.

A Job for the Pros

Regardless of the type of geothermal loop system you would like to put in place, you will need to have the work done by a skilled professional. Lanz Inc. has helped customers all over the Champaign, IL area with just these sorts of geothermal projects and we would be very glad to count you among them. So give us a call today to find out more about the geothermal loop systems we can install for you.