Geo Heat Pump - Loop type choice!
Last Post 13 Jul 2009 10:23 PM by engineer. 4 Replies.
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Bill BaconUser is Offline
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11 Jul 2009 10:40 AM

I am in the Florida Panhandle about 30 miles from the Gulf.  Lots of sand and the Florida Aquafer is not very deep here.  I have a home with about 6 tons of cooling needed.

If I go with Vertical Closed Loop, I've been told I will need about 6 loop wells and lots of cash.  I will lose some on my efficiency and will probably kill some of my beautiful pecan trees (not much space).

Not sure I can go with Horizontal Closed Loop.  I do have some space I could dig up on the back of my lot, but don't know how to go about calculating and what the efficiency might be as compared to Vertical Closed Loop.

I have been told that the most efficient and least costly way is the Open Loop, with only having to dig two wells (Supply and injection).  The only downside I understand is I might have issues with calcium carbonate plateout and corrosion, but these could be overcome with filtration and a second water/water heat exchanger between the Ground loop and the Heat Pump.  But I can find little information on suppliers or experts that could help me with a viable solution and verify my approach.  In addition, I am told I could easily burn out a pump if well runs dry and the power requirements are greater than the closed loop approach (of course).  All these problems appear solveable with a little Fluids 101 and OTS parts.

Help!  Where to get good info!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill-Hot-and-Frustrated-in-Florida-Redneck-Riviera !

jonrUser is Offline
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11 Jul 2009 11:50 AM
Hardness can't be simply filtered out. But how often one has to clean the heat exchanger depends on how hard the water is and if one is doing heating or cooling.

Pumping costs will be about the same.

You might go to http://www.igshpa.okstate.edu/directory/directory.asp and look up a certified designer.

AltonUser is Offline
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11 Jul 2009 10:30 PM

Bill,
You should check with the State of Florida about injection wells.  This is strictly prohibited in some areas where cities use the aquifer for public supply.

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joe.amiUser is Offline
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13 Jul 2009 07:40 PM
Have you consulted local installers?
joe
Joe Hardin
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engineerUser is Offline
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13 Jul 2009 10:23 PM
Check with water management district ref injection wells. Not yet needed in north FL but required in southwest FL. Florida has 5-6 water management disticts each with widely varying rules and regs. 2nd heat exchanger increases complexity, first cost and reduces efficiency. Get your water tested and compare with specs for standard and cupronickle heat exchangers.

Open loop can be managed in many cases with an eye toward proper maintenance. I've had them near Jacksonville for 10+ years with good results so far.

Are you quite certain of a 6 ton load?

Hard to imagine having enough room for horizontal if vertical is constrained by trees.
Curt Kinder <br><br>

The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is - Winston Churchill <br><br><a href="http://www.greenersolutionsair.com">www.greenersolutionsair.com</a>
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