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Geothermal Systems
Geothermal systems are some of the most energy-efficient systems you can possibly buy. Learn more about how they work here.
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GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS
Tap into the geothermal layer under the earth’s surface and save substantially on utility bills.
Are you interested in saving a substantial amount off your utility bill through the highest efficiency heating and air conditioning for your home? Geothermal Energy has been called one of the “greenest” methods of heating and air conditioning because it takes advantage of the natural, renewable energy resource right under your lawn!
Wally Falke’s is the leading Central Valley geothermal heating and cooling provider. We’re certified by WaterFurnace®, the company who manufactures more geothermal systems than any other in the Business. WaterFurnace has some of the most highly trained dealers in the nation. We are proud to be a certified WaterFurnace installer, offering this green energy solution for our Central Valley customers!
How Does A Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) Work?
Most Central Valley homeowners have what is referred to as a split system. With a split system, the indoor and outdoor components create a giant loop that contains refrigerant. This loop is typically copper tubing, and is made up of the indoor coil, and the outdoor coil. The indoor coil resides in an evaporator coil, or air handler (also called a fan coil). The outdoor coil resides in the air conditioner or air source heat pump. When cooling your home on a warm Central Valley Summer day, the air conditioner (or air source heat pump) compresses the refrigerant, and dissipates the heat energy into the already hot air outside. This chills the refrigerant. The chilled fluid is then pumped back inside to the indoor coil. Warm air from your home is then forced through the coil, which cools and dehumidifies your air.
A GHP replaces the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump. However instead of containing the outdoor coil inside the unit, and dissipating heat energy into the air, the outdoor coil becomes what is known as an earth loop. This loop is placed in the ground (or water) and taps into the constant thermal temperature provided by the Earth. These loops are high-density polyethylene pipes containing a water based solution. In the summer, heat energy is easily dissipated into the cool ground, and in the Winter, heat energy is pulled from the ground, and used to heat the refrigerant, thus reversing the cooling process. This access of thermal energy results in extremely low energy bills throughout the year.
Types of Geothermal Heat Pumps
There are four primary types of loops that we offer for our Central Valley geothermal customers. These loop systems perform in a similar fashion, but have different associated costs due to varying installation complexity. See the images and brief descriptions below for additional information:
Horizontal Loop
When you own enough land around your home, horizontal loops can be the ideal earth loop system to install. Depending on the exact system needs and space available around your home, pipes are placed in trenches that range in length from 100 to 400 feet. We say they are ideal, because trenching is typically cheaper than a vertical installation which requires a well-drilling rig. In colder climates, a normal trencher can’t be used because frost depths reach down to 7 feet.
Vertical Loop
When not much yard or land is available, a vertical earth loop can be the way to go for your GHP installation. These are still a closed loop system like horizontal and pond/lake loops. Small diameter holes are bored into the ground using well drilling equipment. The polyethylene piping is then installed into these holes that range from 150-250 feet deep! Geothermal installations will often have one bore hole per nominal ton of GHP capacity, and the holes should be spaced about 15-20+ feet apart.
Pond / Lake Loop
Can a pond covered with ice actually be used to heat your home? Yes! The principal, according to the MNGHPA is this: When water is 39 degrees it is in its heaviest stage, and will often rest in an isolated temperature layer at the bottom of a pond or lake during the winter season. The geothermal loop extracts heat energy from this area, and the resulting cooled water ascends out of this zone. Remember, even low temperatures still have heat energy, whether air, ground or water.
Open Loop
Can a pond covered with ice actually be used to heat your home? Yes! The principal, according to the MNGHPA is this: When water is 39 degrees it is in its heaviest stage, and will often rest in an isolated temperature layer at the bottom of a pond or lake during the winter season. The geothermal loop extracts heat energy from this area, and the resulting cooled water ascends out of this zone. Remember, even low temperatures still have heat energy, whether air, ground or water.
