Benefits of Geoexchange:  

• Most energy efficient way to heat or cool a building, typically 30-60% savings on monthly bills

• Safety: No combustion, no flame, no flues, no odors

• No outdoor equipment such as noisy, unsightly condensing units

• Long equipment life cycles, durability, and low maintenance

• Flexibility: Unsurpassed in system heating and cooling zone control. Is very advantageous when the use of a building is not known at the time of construction

• Energy efficiency allows otherwise challenged architectural design to pass state energy compliance requirements

• Combination systems: Geothermal systems can be combined with hydronic radiant floor and traditional forced air heating and air conditioning systems

• Environmentally friendly: Elimination of fossil fuel combustion 

• Systems are architecturally versatile and
  aesthetically pleasing with no roof penetrations

Horizontal:  

 When adequate land is available without hard
 rock, systems may be placed in trenches using
 two, four or six pipe parallel configurations. Pipe
 is placed in trenches that range from 100 to 400
 feet in length and approximately 6 feet below the
 surface. As a rule of thumb, a well constructed
 home with a three ton load would require
 approximately 1,500-1,800 feet of pipe equivalent
 to 750-900 feet of trench for a two pipe system.
 Multiple pipe systems can be used to reduce
 trenching required. Another horizontal system
 called a slinky system may be used to further
 reduce trenching required. If the soil conditions
 are rocky or sandy, then a vertical system may a
 better choice. Trenching and drilling costs are
 obviously major factors in this decision.  

Slinky:  

 Slinky coils in either a compressed coil or the
 extended version are popular in residential
 applications since they use less trench length,
 and can be quickly installed in a slit trench where
 they are self supporting or they can be laid flat in
 an excavated area, as in a commercial
 application. The advantage of a slinky is that a
 large heat exchanger can be installed in a
 relatively small area.

Vertical:  

 Where land space is limited and the soil is too
 rocky for an economical horizontal system, pipe
 is looped in 4-6 inch diameter holes that are
 drilled 150-300 feet in depth depending on soil
 conditions.  The holes are backfilled, plugged or
 grouted, and the pipes connected to headers in a
 trench leading back into the building. Holes are
 spaced approximately 10-15 feet apart and can be
 arranged in a variety of grid patterns depending
 on the land’s shape. As a rule of thumb, a
 well-constructed 2000 sq. ft. home with a 
 three-ton load would require approximately three
 holes at a 250-foot depth each. 

Pond/Lake:  

 As a very economical system, this method
 involves coiling up tubing and placing the coils at
 the bottom of a pond or lake. This system
 typically requires at least a ˝ acre pond with a
 minimum, constant depth of 6 feet (8-10 feet 
 recommended). A good rule of thumb is
 approximately 3000 sq. ft. of pond surface area
 required per ton of heating or cooling.

Open:

 Probably the most economical system, this
 method utilizes ground water directly, such as 
 a private well.

The Monterey Energy Group (MEG) 
Design Advantage:

 As a member and accredited installer of the International Ground
 Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA), MEG is knowledgeable in
 the latest developing technology in these system applications. MEG
 has worked on thousands of custom homes and various commercial
 buildings including dozens of geoexchange systems.  With this
 experience, MEG can identify the proper system and integrate the
 various applications, based on the type of construction and desired
 heating and cooling conditions.

Links and Resources:

 Please visit the following for additional information on geoexchange systems: 

 www.igshpa.okstate.edu  
 IGSHPA – International Ground Source Heat Pump Association – Geoexchange
 industry body that provides training, sets standards, certifies installers, and can
 provide books and training material. 

 www.waterfurnace.com
 Water Furnace International - Manufacturer of Geoexchange Products. 
  Provides training and certification for installation of Geoexchange systems.

 www.climatemaster.com
 Climate Master - Manufacturer of Geoexchange Products.

 www.hydrodelta.com
 Hydro Delta Corporation - Manufacturer of Geoexchange Products.