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Horizontal Earth Link
A horizontal earth link is a type of closed loop. The tubing in this case is buried horizontal rather than vertical. All of the characteristics of the vertical closed loop are the same for the horizontal with the exception of the footprint. A horizontal system requires a considerable investment in real estate required to construct the system. Also the availability of good design data can be an issue in designing your system. These systems are normally installed as an option to drilling vertical loops when the cost of drilling is cost prohibitive, i.e. hard rock drilling, or accessibility to the site.
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Pond Loops
A pond loop is where a closed system is installed in body of water and the temperature from that water is used as the exchange medium. Again all the characteristics of a closed loop system apply to this earth link. Recently there has been an increased interest in this type of exchange in small commercial applications where storm water management, or fire retention ponds are required. Initially a lot of this type of exchange was installed in Minnesota, the "land of a thousand lakes". Pond loops constructed of geo-pipe are not a good choice where beaver and nutria are present. Beavers are known to prefer the durability of geo-pipe when constructing their lodges. In beaver populated areas the installers have switched to using metal plates in the water instead of geo-pipe to discourage their furry friends.
*Please note: Before considering this option, please be aware that pond loops require at least 2 acres of surface area and a minimum depth of 20'.
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Direct Exchange
Direct exchange is a method whereby the refrigeration lines from the compressor are inserted directly into the ground to effect heating or cooling. This method eliminates the middleman i.e. the exchange coil in the process. It is very efficient and cost effective to install. A drawback is that the lines inserted into the ground are copper. In soils that have an aggressive or alkaline ph it slowly eats away at the copper. A dry neutral ph soil or rock is crucial to this system. Other metals have been tried to overcome this problem but they are either to expensive or inhibit the exchange leaving copper as the preferred choice.
*Please note: This particular method is not recommended for the Delmarva Peninsula region due to soil PH conditions.
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Thanks to our friends at Green Energy Act for the photos below!
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