How low do I go in Phoenix, AZ? > GreenBuildingTalk - Green Building Forums on Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF), Structural Insulated Panels (SIP), Radiant Heating, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Solar Power

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technoleverage User is Offline

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Posts:1

08/11/2008 12:31 AM
I am interested in knowing how deep I would have to bury a horizontal closed loop system to reach the average 73 degree ground temperture here in Phoenix? I understand approx. 2000 feet of pipe would be enough for my single level ranch home (1800 sq ft).

tuffluckdriller User is Offline

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Posts:411

08/11/2008 2:36 AM
Not sure. You could call Al Winters in Southern Utah. I think he's installed some DX systems in your neck of the woods (desert). His phone is: 435-229-1608

Clark Timothy (clark@pinksdx.com) VP sales, Tuff Luck Geothermal Drilling Geothermal, Heating and Cooling that's Dirt Cheap!

engineer

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Posts:397

08/11/2008 8:23 AM
Standard literature I've seen from IGHSPA states that the stable year round earth temp is available only 30+ feet down - hence the appeal of vertical systems. Any horizontal system represents a compromise. The compromise is reasonable given the often much greater cost of going vertical. Make sure your "understanding" of the required loop field is based on rigorous design for your site specific situation - climate, load, soil composition, etc.

Without data, you only have an opinion.

joe.ami

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Posts:371

08/11/2008 9:30 AM
You need to find your local experts. As engineer states "stable temperatures" are usually accompanied by diminished returns. Heating our homes in MI we only go 5 to 6 feet on horizontal excavation not because it's stable but because it's cheap to install. Greater depth horizontally (even 1 foot) could involve twice the digging due to safety requirements (wider trenches, shoring etc.). Vertical loops are nearly double because of the equipment involved. If you have your local guy show you the operating cost projection differences, you'd be suprised at how small they are.

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