ThermAire Kingston | GeoThermal | Ground Source | Heat Pumps | Energy

FAQ

Not sure if GeoThermal is right or will work for you? Here are some of the questions we are asked most often .

1. How much land is required for a horizontal closed loop?
2. I line in the city – Am I able to install a geothermal system?
3. How much soil is required for a closed loop system?
4. I live on the lake – what are my options?
5. How long does the loop pipe last?
6. How long does it take to install a complete geothermal system?
7. What size of heat pump will I need?
8. I have a good flowing well, can I install a geothermal heat pump using my well water?
9. Which system is more efficient:
Vertical loop, horizontal loop, lake loop, or open loop (well to well)?
10. What size of electrical service is required?

1. How much land is required for a horizontal closed loop?

A -Typically, you need 3 footprints of your house.

2. I line in the city – Am I able to install a geothermal system?

A – Yes, if it is an extra large lot it may be possible to install a horizontal loop, however vertical loops can be installed on virtually any sized lot. The vertical system is more expensive to install due to drilling costs. Please note that access to site of loop is required for large drilling or excavating equipment.

3. How much soil is required for a closed loop system?

A – For a horizontal loop, a minimum of 4 ft of soil is required. However a vertical system can be installed with minimal soil depth.

4. I live on the lake – what are my options?

A –You can install a lake loop on most inland lakes and in some locations of Lake Ontario. Considerations must be made for pipes being protected as a minimum of 6 ft of water depth is required, and in some locations authorization is required from local conservation authorities.

5. How long does the loop pipe last?

A – When installed in the ground, it will last virtually forever. We use the highest quality of pipe and resin. All of the pipe underground is heat fused with no mechanical joints. After the loop is installed it can be driven over, farmed on, etc, with no risk of damage to the loop. However, during the winter months, it can not be driven on or have snow removed from the surface (over the loop).

6. How long does it take to install a complete geothermal system?

3-5 days, depending on the extent of additional ductwork and conditions, etc.

7. What size of heat pump will I need?

A – Rule of thumb: for the average 20 yr old bungalow you would need approx. 1 ton capacity for every 500 sq ft of main floor area (does not include basement) and is less if it is a 2 storey home.

8. I have a good flowing well, can I install a geothermal heat pump using my well water?

A – Yes you can – the average house requires a minimum of 15 gpm to satisfy both the heat pump and the domestic water usages. A second well is required to reject the water expelled from the heat pump and must have at least the same flow as the supply well. In most cases, the well pump needs to be changed to one with larger capacity and must be of submersible type. The quality of water is also a consideration as contaminants can plug the well pumps and in some cases scale the heat exchanger and the heat pump. If you have adequate space on your property, a horizontal loop can be installed for a little more money than a well system considering pumps and extra well that are required. We can predict that the horizontal loop will be more trouble free since we do not rely on things that we can not control (i.e. well runs dry, reduced iron bacteria etc.)

9. Which system is more efficient:
Vertical loop, horizontal loop, lake loop, or open loop (well to well)?

A - All closed loop systems are very close to the same efficiency. Less pipe is required for lake loops and vertical loops than horizontal. The efficiency of well water systems is slightly less because of extra power that is required for well pump. The pumps we use in our closed systems are only circulating pumps, as system is closed and requires very little pumping power. Electrical draw is a couple hundred watts.

10. What size of electrical service is required?

A - In most cases a 200 amp service is required, as we install a resistance electric heater to provide heat in emergency situations that will automatically come on if something should happen to the heat pump while you are away from home. If it is a small house, in some cases 100 amp service is sufficient.