RESIDENTIAL GEOTHERMAL
Winslow Pump & Well, Inc.
specializes in vertical, closed loop, geothermal loop
fields. The loop field consists of two major
components: vertical geothermal wells and a horizontal
manifold system.
The
vertical geothermal wells are constructed by drilling a 200'
vertical hole 4" to 5" in diameter, inserting two 3/4"
polyethylene pipes joined at the bottom with a "U" bend
fitting, and the annular space backfilled with Bentonite
(clay) slurry to seal the polyethylene pipe in place.
The Bentonite slurry allows heat transfer while protecting
ground water from surface contamination.
The horizontal manifold is a series of
polyethylene pipe and tee fittings that connect the vertical
wells to the geothermal unit located inside the home.
The manifold typically has 1-1/4" supply and return lines to
the unit.
The system is filled with a water-based
fluid, pressurized and sealed. The fluid is circulated
through the system, and the geothermal unit, to transfer heat,
going to and from the ground as needed.
Inground construction: To prevent leaks in
the vertical and horizontal system, the pipe and fittings are
locked together by a method of welding called "Heat Fusion."
Special tools and equipment are used in the
heat fusion process. This process melts and joins the
polyethylene pipe and fittings together at a temperature of
525°F. The inground system is pressurized and leak
tested before backfilling the trenches.
Because of the high degree of reliability,
many systems have been installed under asphalt parking lots
and driveways. Ground Source Heat Pumps
(GSHPs) offer great benefits:
- Can be a combination
heating/cooling and hot water heating system
- Some can save you up to 50%
on your water-heating bill by preheating tank water
- Made of mechanical components
that are either buried in the ground or located
inside the home
- About the same size as a
traditional heating/cooling unit
- Pipe carries up to a 50-year
warranty
- Can cut energy consumption by
20 to 50% and reduce maintenance costs
- Keep the air warmer in the
winter (90 -105¡ F) and at a more consistent
temperature throughout the home, eliminating the hot
and cold spots common with other systems
- Very quiet, providing a
pleasant environment inside & outside the home
- No noisy fan units to disturb
outdoor activities
- No exposed equipment
outdoors; children or pets cannot injure themselves
or damage exterior units
- No open flame, flammable fuel
or potentially dangerous fuel storage tanks
Ground Source Heat Pumps
offer great savings:
- One of the most efficient
residential heating and cooling systems available
today
- Heating efficiencies 50 to
70% higher than other heating systems and cooling
efficiencies 20 to 40% higher than available air
conditioners
- Save money in operating and
maintenance costs
- Investments recouped in only
a few years
- Positive cash flow; energy
savings usually exceed the cost of the system
- Some utilities offer rebates
or incentives to their customers who purchase GSHPs.
- Many heat pump manufacturers,
local utilities, and lending institutions have
special financing for homeowners who are installing
GSHPs
Ground Source Heat Pumps are
environmentally friendly:
- Conserve natural resources by
providing efficient climate control and thus
lowering emissions
- Minimize ozone layer
destruction by using sealed refrigeration systems,
which seldom or never have to be recharged
- Use underground loops to
transfer heat, with no external venting and no air
pollution
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