WTR’s engineering team can provide the following services:

• Design

WTR provides solid geothermal engineering designs to its clients. As people begin to realize the potential energy savings incorporated with geothermal systems when compared to standard HVAC systems, geothermal systems will become more and more popular. Some of the many benefits to geothermal systems include; affordable installation costs, low operating and maintenance costs, high efficiency systems, environmentally responsible systems, ease of service, and aesthetics, just to name a few. Below are some of the various geothermal systems available today.

 

• Pond/Lake Loop System

In the pond/lake loop system, pipe is coiled in a fairly large body of water, at least eight feet deep to prevent freezing. A supply line buried in a trench that runs from the building to the submerged loop. For sufficient operation, the pond/lake must be close to the building or the supply line will provide the same heat transfer function as a horizontal ground loop.

• Vertical Ground Loop System

In the vertical ground loop system, multiple bore holes are drilled and two separate pipe lengths are connected with U-bend to form a loop. The pipes are then placed in each bore hole and pressure tested. The bore holes are backfilled with a grouting material and sealed off at the surface. These vertical loops are tied together with horizontal piping laid in trenches and then connected to the heat pump.

 

• Open Loop System

In the open loop system, a well or surface body of water supplies water that circulates through the system. Once this water has circulated through the heat pump, the water is returned to the ground through either a recharge well, a drain field, or a surface discharge. This option is best utilized when there is an adequate supply of water. The discharge must also be able to handle an increased capacity during extreme weather conditions.

• Horizontal Ground Loop System

In the horizontal ground loop system, a network of trenches are cut and a series of one to four pipes are laid horizontally in the trench. These pipes are then pressure tested and connected to the heat pump inside the building. The trenches are then backfilled and the heat pump and loop form a sealed, pressurized system through which the liquid heat exchange medium is circulated.