Geothermal Drilling: Innovative Methodology For Sourcing Energy Underground
Geothermal energy is a highly efficient and economical source of home heating and cooling, and since geothermal systems rely on a network of underground pipes, geothermal drilling is involved. These pipes are known as a ground loop and are installed at a depth in the ground where temperatures stay consistent year-round.
Before any drilling can be done, however, the site must be carefully evaluated. Here are some of the areas considered before the work begins:
- Land availability: There must be enough open land available for the drilling and the installation of the ground loop system. The layout of your property, landscaping and location of underwater pipes, cables or sprinkler systems will affect where a geothermal system can be installed. Horizontal ground loop systems are more common in new construction, while vertical systems make the best use of available ground space at existing homes.
- Geology: If your soil has properties that let it effectively transfer heat, the ground loop system may need less piping to be effective. You will need a sufficient amount of soil to hold the ground loop network. Large amounts of hard rock under your soil or shallow soil layers may require horizontal ground loops.
- Hydrology: The amount and availability of groundwater or surface water must be taken into consideration. Groundwater or lakes, aquifers or wells can be used as the source of heat capture and release if they are more practical than a ground-source geothermal system. Be sure the site’s hydrology is well evaluated to avoid major problems such as aquifer depletion or groundwater pollution.
Symbiont Service Corp. can help you make the best use of the geothermal site you have selected with our directional bore crossing services. We use a geothermal drilling method known as directional bore crossings, a method of horizontal directional drilling. This method limits the amount of disruption to the surface of the ground and creates practical underground spaces for the installation of geothermal ground loop systems.
We’re a professional installer and maintainer of geothermal air conditioning and pool and spa heating equipment throughout Florida’s Suncoast. Contact us today for more information on geothermal site selection, geothermal drilling and our directional bore crossing services.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Englewood, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about geothermal drilling and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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