Get in the Loop!

If you have an open loop (well water) geothermal system, and have had some maintenance issues because of the well water, we have the solution! In most cases, it's not too late to install a closed loop system. There are a few options to consider, one of which may be just what you need.

Horizontal Closed Loop

The most common loop system in our area is a horizontal closed loop, most practical when there is adequate open land area for installation. It requires a trench to be dug about five to six feet deep, about six feet wide and typically about three hundred feet in length. A series of polyethylene geothermal pipes are laid in the trench, then the trench is backfilled.

Vertical Closed Loop

Another loop system, used mainly where land area is limited, is the vertical closed loop. This type of system require a well-drilling rig to bore holes in the ground, typically about 150 to 200 feet deep into which the geothermal pipes are inserted.  The bore holes are then grouted shut, both to protect the aquifier and to provide good soil-to-pipe contact fro proper heat transfer.

Pond Loop

Finally there is the pond loop. If the site has an adequately sized body of water, coils of pipe can be weighted and sunk to the bottom of the pond. A half-acre, eight-foot deep pond is usually sufficient for the average home. Pond loops are often less expensive to install than the other closed loop systems.

Open Loop Conversions

We have converted several of our customers' open loop systems over to closed loops in the past few years. All of them have had problems because of poor quality well water. Very hard water, high iron content, iron bacteria and dissolved solids are the most common culprits. Often times, the water will look and taste just fine. The issues typically arise when the temperature of the water is changed as it passes through the geothermal unit. This allows the solids to settle out, the iron and/or calcium to collect inside the heat exchanger. The unit gradually loses its transfer capability, because of this build-up of matter on the heat exchanger surfaces. Fixing the problem requires an acid flushing of the heat exchanger to clean it out.

With a closed loop system, you are not at the mercy of well water, as the same environmentally friendly anti-freeze solution is recirculated through the loop. Only small circulating pumps are required, eliminating the stress on your well pump.

If you are having water-related problems with your open-loop geothermal system, contact Adams Heating & Cooling today.  We can recommend the best closed loop system for your particular situation.

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