Geothermal Comfort Systems

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Geothermal Comfort Systems
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
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Geothermal Systems

• Use the earth or well-water to provide heating,
  cooling and hot water for your home.
• Are also known as GeoExchange because the systems
  exchange energy with the earth.
• Have been used successfully for decades. First
  patented in 1912.

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How does it work?

• It simply moves heat energy from one place to
  another--(like your refrigerator).

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Definition of Heat

• Heat (1) A condition of being hot warmth
  (2) A marked or notable degree of hotness
  (3) Added energy that causes substances to
  rise in temperature, fuse, expand, or
  undergo any of various related changes,
  that flows to a body by contact with or
  radiation from bodies at higher
  temperatures. (4) The energy associated
  with the random motions of the
  molecules, atoms, or smaller structural
  units of which matter is composed. - Websters
  Dictionary

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How is heat energy transferred?

• The earth has the ability to absorb and store
  heat energy
• Heat transfer takes place by a liquid medium
  (water, antifreeze or well-water) that works as a
  conductor to carry the Heat Energy back and forth
  to your yard

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How does the heat move from the earth to my home?

• The heat moves through a liquid medium inside a
  loop system or through a well-water.
• Temperature differences between materials or area
  cause heat to travel from areas of high heat (Hi
  temperature) to areas of lower heat (Lo
  temperature) Example Your coffee always gets
  colder not warmer when you leave it set on the
  table.

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Whats a loop system?

• Geothermal earth loops are a series of high
  density, polyethylene pipe buried in the ground
  and connected to your geothermal unit.

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Are there different kinds of loops?

• Closed loop systems-- circulate the same fluid
  (water or water antifreeze) through the tubing.
• Open loop systems-- use well water

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Are there different kinds of closed loop systems?

• Closed loops can be
• Horizontal-- placed in trenches
• Vertical-- inserted into bore holes
• Pond-- placed at the bottom of a pond or lake

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How can it heat using earth temperatures?

• A few feet below the surface, earth temperatures
  remain relatively constant and moderate.
• During the heating season, heat is extracted by
  the loop system and moved into the home.
• The earth serves as a heat source.

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How does it heat using cool earth temperatures?

• Although the temperature of the earth may feel
  cool to you and me, there is enough heat to cause
  the refrigerant inside the unit to change from a
  liquid into a gas.
• The refrigerant gas is then compressed, making it
  very hot, and then its passed through an air
  coil. As air passes over the hot coil, it is
  warmed.

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How does this heat my home?

• The warm air is circulated throughout the home
  through your duct system.
• Or, a geothemal system can make hot water that
  can be circulated through in-floor radiant tubing
  or other hydronic systems.

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What about cooling?

• A geothermal unit can also cool your home.
• During the cooling season, heat is extracted from
  the home and transferred into the cool earth
  through the loop system or well-water.
• The earth serves as a heat sink.

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Geothermal Efficiency
1 Unit of Energy Used to Operate
4 Units of Energy Delivered Into Home
3 Units of Free Energy From the Earth
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Ordinary Furnace Efficiency
5 - 30 of Energy Lost (unusable energy) To
Outdoors Through the Chimmney
1 Unit Of Fuel Used To Generate Heat (Purchased)
Only 70 - 95 of Energy Paid For Gets Into Your
Home (usable energy)
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Do I need separate loops for heating and cooling?

• No. The same loop works for both. All that
  happens when changing from heating to cooling, or
  vice versa, is that the flow of heat is reversed.

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How much space do I need to install my loop?

• Horizontal loops usually require about 1/3 of an
  acre of available space.
• Vertical loops usually require an area about 15
  feet by 15 feet.
• Pond loops can be installed at the bottom of the
  pond if the pond has a surface area of at least
  1/2 acre and a minimum of 8 feet deep.

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If I use well-water, how much will I need?

• Geothermal units using well-water require about
  5-9 gallons of water per minute, whenever the
  unit is running.
• After the water runs through the unit, it is
  discharged into a ditch, field tile, stream, pond
  or another well.
• The ONLY change to the water is a few degrees of
  temperature difference.

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How do I know which loop is best for my house?

• Your ClimateMaster dealer has experience and
  training in selecting and designing the most
  appropriate and most effective loop for your home
  based on installation costs, digging and soil
  conditions, moisture, and the amount of space
  available.

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How do I know that the loop is the right size?

• Scientific based computer software programs are
  used to calculate the size of the loop, based on
  the heating and cooling requirements of your
  home, soil conditions and your climate.
• Its a science not a guessing game.

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What are the major components in my unit?

• The geothermal unit consists of a compressor,
  blower, heat exchangers, refrigerant piping and
  valves, electrical controls and a circulating
  system
• The same type of components used in a
  conventional air conditioning or refrigeration
  system

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Major Components
Supply Air Out
Return Air In
Fan Blower
Air Coil
Return from Loop
Coaxial Heat Exchanger
Compressor
Supply from Loop
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How long does my unit warranty last?

• The standard warranty on all ClimateMaster
  residential units is 1 year on all parts, 1 year
  labor allowance and 4 additional years on the
  refrigeration circuit parts
• The standard warranty on the loop flow center
  pump system is 1 yr labor allowance and 4
  additional years on all parts
• Extended 5 or 10 yr parts and labor warranty
  options are also available

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What about the reliability of the pipe in my loop
system?

• Pipe is specially formulated for geothermal
  installations.
• Does not rust, rot, or corrode.
• All connections are made by heat fusion.
• Warranties vary on pipe from 20 - 55 years. Life
  expectancy is several hundred years.

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What about hot water?

• A geothermal unit can make hot water too!
• An optional component called a desuperheater or
  hot water generator makes hot water when your
  unit is heating or cooling your home.
• Free hot water during cooling

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How much hot water will it make?

• The unit will generally make around 40-60 of the
  hot water required for your home, but the actual
  amount can vary significantly depending on how
  long the unit runs each day to heat and cool.
• The rest of the hot water is generated by your
  conventional water heater.

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What about hot water for radiant heating?

• Some ClimateMaster units have the ability to
  generate hot water for use in radiant floor
  heating systems or other hydronic applications.
• These Water to Water units generate hot water for
  heating plus, it has the ability to operate as a
  chiller for applications which need both hydronic
  heating and forced air cooling modes.

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Can a geothermal system be used in other
applications?

• They can also be used for in-floor radiant
  heating, pools, spas, fan-coil systems, and snow
  melt systems.
• In addition to residential applications
  geothermal systems are successfully installed in
  churches, offices, schools, apartments,
  manufacturing plants and other commercial
  applications.

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How much will I save with my geothermal system?

• There are many variables that must be considered
  when calculating operating costs including size
  of home, insulation, climate, fuel rates, etc.
• Your ClimateMaster dealer can perform a Free
  Energy Analysis to tell you about your costs and
  savings.

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In existing homes...

• Replacing an existing system with a geothermal
  system can save you money in operating costs.
• Your return on the added investment for a
  geothermal system can usually be achieved in 3-5
  years.

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In new homes...

• Youll generally achieve a positive cash flow
  from the first day!
• Generally, if you add the extra cost of the
  geothermal system into the mortgage, youll find
  your monthly energy savings will be greater than
  the added cost of the mortgage.
• You start saving immediately!

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Your energy bill...

• If youre a typical homeowner, about 70 of your
  total energy bill is for heating, cooling and hot
  water. The rest is for lighting, appliances and
  other usage.
• Therefore, the biggest opportunity to save large
  amounts of money on your energy bill is to
  increase the efficiency of your heating, cooling,
  and hot water system.

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How can I finance my geothermal system?

• For new homes, it can be included in the cost of
  your mortgage(remember positive cash flow from
  day one)
• For existing homes, several financing programs
  are available, depending on your specific needs.

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Geothermal and the EPA...

• Geothermal systems are recognized by the US
  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US
  Department of Energy (DOE) as the most efficient
  and environmentally-friendly system available.
• Energy Star rated

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Geothermal systems and your electric utility...

• Geothermal units are widely accepted by electric
  utilities because the systems have a level demand
  load, reducing the need to build expensive
  generating facilities, which ultimately, keeps
  our energy costs down.

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Its a proven technology...

• Be assured that these systems have been
  successfully installed in many different types of
  applications and climates.
• Geothermal systems have been used for decades.
• Computer programs aid in proper unit and loop
  sizing.

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What about customer satisfaction?

• Several independent studies have shown that
  geothermal system owners are very satisfied with
  their systems.
• 99 of geothermal system owners are so satisfied
  with their systems they would recommend one to a
  friend.
• Excellent warranty programs provide you with
  years of operation.

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Summary of Benefits

• Energy savings
• Enhanced comfort
• Quiet operation
• No noisy outdoor unit
• Less maintenance
• Long equipment life
• Excellent humidity control
• Safety - its flameless!

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Summary of Benefits (continued)

• No fumes or carbon monoxide possibilities
• No unsightly and dangerous outdoor fuel tanks
• Environmentally friendly
• Clean operation
• Adds value to your home for resale

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More benefits...

• Warmer supply air temperature than air source
  heat pumps during cold weather.
• No short, hot blasts of air associated with gas,
  propane, or oil furnaces.
• Long run cycles of geothermal systems provide
  consistent comfort throughout your home.
• Refrigeration system is factory charged and
  sealed.

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Are all geothermal systems created equal?

• No. While all geothermal systems are more
  efficient than ordinary systems, there are
  differences between various brands.
• You should consider factors like rated
  efficiency, value, quality, warranty, training,
  technical support, dealer expertise and customer
  satisfaction.

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Why should I choose a ClimateMaster?

• Industry leader in Water Source Heat Pumps since
  1952
• Tens of thousands of successful installations
  World Wide.
• Excellent training for dealers and loop
  installers ensures proper installations
• GeoDesigner Computer program for calculating
  sizing and operating costs

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More reasons to choose ClimateMaster...

• Quality components like Copeland Scroll
  compressors, GE Blower Motors, CXM control boards
  with ClimateMasters exclusive Unit Performance
  Sentinel feature that warns the homeowner when
  the unit is operating inefficiently as well as
  provides troubleshooting diagnostics for the
  service technician
• Every unit is computer run-tested at the factory
  to ensure proper operation, and a report card is
  shipped with the unit.
• Many configurations to fit different applications
  and price ranges.
• Choice of Warranties up to 10 Years!

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Why choose (insert dealer name here)?

• Reason 1
• Reason 2
• Reason 3
• Reason 4
• Reason 5
• etc. etc.

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Summary

• The MOST Energy Efficient system available-- They
  deliver 3 to 4 units of energy into the home for
  every 1 unit of energy consumed to operate the
  system. Benefit-- reduced energy costs.
• Enhanced comfort and safety
• Reliable with long equipment life.

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Summary (continued)

• Cost effective-- Instant positive cash flow for
  new homes, quick return on investment for
  existing homes.
• Environmentally friendly
• Quiet operation
• Flexible to meet many demands
• Proven technology

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Geothermal Systems...
Unsurpassed comfort and efficiency thats
Free from the Earth by
Since 1952