There are 4 main methods of collecting Nature's free heat with a Heat pump. Which one you use depends on the layout of your site.
Horizontal loop
The simplest, most common & cheapest to install is the Horizontal Loop. Here an array of ordinary gauge Hydrodare is laid in trenches, 1m apart & 1m deep. The pipe is pre-filled with the high quality refrigerant (although it is possible to use Anti-freeze/water solution with an indirect heat pump) & can easily absorb warmth from the surrounding soil.
Vertical Loop
These are used extensively where land area is limited or soil conditions preclude the cheaper horizontal loop. A pair of pipes with a special U_bend assembly at the bottom are inserted into a borehole that averages 15-20m for every KW required. The bore holes need to be backfilled with a grout solution (usually a bentonite slurry) to ensure total conact with the earth along the pipe lengths & to seall off the instalation from ground water or aquifers.
Pond Loop
Pond loops are usually very economical to install. Water depth needs to be more than 2m and be at least ½ acre in extent. Coiled pipe is placed in the water. An average home would require around 300m of pipe. Reduced installation costs & high performance efficiency are characteristic of this system.
