Kent Geothermal, Wind, and Solar Division

Horizontal loop:  Installed in areas where soil conditions permit economical excavation.  Taking up more land area than any other loop type, they are used where space permits. Trenches are normally about five feet deep with multiple pipes placed in the trench at different depths.  Normally several hundred feet of trench is required, but where space permits these loops are considered desirable and most cost effective.

When investing in a geothermal system we believe our customers deserve peace of mind knowing beyond a doubt that their earth loop system will operate correctly.  After all, who has the time, money, and patience to negotiate and oversee the removal and reinstallation of a new earth loop? 

Vertical loop:  Used extensively where land area is limited or soil conditions prohibit digging more economical horizontal loops.  A pair of pipes with a special U-bend assembly at the bottom is inserted into a bored hole that averages between 150 to 250 feet deep per ton of geothermal equipment required.  These holes are then backfilled with a special grout solution to ensure good contact, and therefore heat transfer, with the earth.

Pond loop:  Usually very economical to install.  If a pond or lake at least eight feet deep is available, pond loops can utilize the water (rather than soil) to transfer heat to and from the pond.  A coiled pipe is placed in the water, which should cover about a half an acre.  An average home would require about 900 feet of pipe.  Reduced installation cost and high performance are characteristic of this type of loop.

Water quality should be plentiful and of good quality, and here is the issue.  90% of our service calls are on open loop geothermal systems because of poor water quality and lack of maintenance on open loop Ground Water Discharge ("pump and dump") systems.  The majority of these systems end up being converted to closed loop systems.  Sadly, in some cases, the geothermal equipment was too far damaged for repair, and the system had to be replaced after only one or two years of operation.

In the areas including the counties of Lake, Porter, Jasper, Kankakee, Newton, and Starke, the ground water is too high in mineral content and corrosiveness, and heavy scale formation is found.  In ground water situations where scaling could be heavy or where biological growth, such as iron bacteria, will be present, an open loop system is not recommended.  We suggest that before you sign a contract with your contractor, get references of many homeowners where open loops have been installed.  In many instances, the homeowner will be unaware of the damage that will accrue.  Over time, heat exchanger coils may lose heat exchanger capabilities due to the build-up of mineral deposits, and the geothermal system will not be able to keep up with the heating and cooling demands placed on it.

Heat exchangers must only be serviced by a qualified technician, as acid and special pumping equipment is required.  Desuperheater coils can likewise become scaled and possibly plugged.  In areas with extremely hard water (like Northwest Indiana), the owner should be informed that the heat exchanger may or most likely will require acid flushing as many as 4 times per year, which results in unnecessary yearly added costs and damage to your system.

Water Quality Requirements Scaling potential should be assessed using the pH/Calcium Hardness method.  If the pH<7.5 and the calcium hardness is less than 100 ppm, scaling potential is low.  The following chart (table3 ) is a guide for you to use.  Take a sample of your water to your local water softener supplier to have it tested.

Our Kent Geothermal Division is dedicated to the importance of quality, integrity, and honest service.  This consumer protection information is a tool to help protect yourself and your investment.

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