Geothermal Engineering, Inc. (GEI)
Geothermal Engineering, Inc. (GEI) was created as an associate company to develop contract opportunities in the burgeoning HVAC geothermal energy market. Specializing in residential and commercial applications, GEI provides partial to complete HVAC system design and installation for geothermal heating and cooling applications. We will work with our clients HVAC contractor or will provide a complete package.
Our affiliate companies listed below combine to provide a complete inventory of drilling and related services:
- D.F. Well Drilling Co. – Well Drilling and Pump Services
- B&B Drilling, Inc. – Environmental Drilling and Related Services
- New Jersey Drilling Co. – Geotechnical and Construction Drilling Services
Our Services Include:
Construction Management – We can work directly with the HVAC contractor of your choice or provide single source HVAC Geothermal installation utilizing proven and qualified HVAC contractors.
Closed and Open Loop Installation – Working with DF Well Drilling Co., horizontal and vertical loops can be designed and installed to match the equipment specified.
Water Wells & Standing Column Wells – Attractive packaged pricing available when combined with Geothermal System installation.
Work closely with electric utilities to ensure full compliance with rebate programs.
What is a geothermal system and how does it work?
Geothermal heating and cooling systems have been around since the age of time. Steaming hot water from deep within the earth's crust was, no doubt utilized by early man to keep warm on cold evenings in those locations where it was available. Similarly, cool spring water has been a refreshing source of relief for both man and beast during a scorching summer afternoon. A more contemporary use of the earth's ability to give off and absorb heat has led to the development of the modern geothermal heat pump.
Without getting into a technical discussion of the thermodynamic principles of heat generation and exchange, it is a fact that transferring heat from one location to another is a more efficient means of providing a local source of heat exchange than through the exclusive use of combustion (fuel generated) or resistant (eclectically generated) heat exchange. Conveniently, the earth below our feet maintains a relatively stable temperature. Here in New Jersey and throughout much of North America just about six feet below grade and beyond that temperature hovers around 55o F all year around. By creating an effective means of generating heat exchange with this earth source, modern heat pumps are able to use traditional mechanical means of both heating and cooling in a far more energy efficient process. This efficiency results because a very significant source of the needed heat exchange is taking place by removing heat energy from the ground and transferring it to your home or place of business during the summer. This process works just as well in cooling by simply reversing the heat exchange during the summer and thus transfers the excess heat from your home back into the earth thereby enhancing the mechanical efficiency of your air-conditioning system. Modern geothermal heat pumps are capable of providing both heating and cooling from the same equipment.
What is a ground loop geothermal exchange system?
There are two basic geothermal exchange configurations being utilized in today's market.
They are the "open loop" and the "closed Loop" systems. The open loop system uses natural groundwater as the primary exchange fluid where groundwater is pumped from a well (supply well) into to heat pump and typically is retuned to the aquifer via a second well (retune well). While this is the most efficient means of exchange, it has as it's liabilities both a dependency upon a supply well having sufficient capacity (well yield equal to approximately one gallon per minute (gpm) per mechanical ton) to provide the needed groundwater flow to meet the designed heating and cooling requirements and a high probability that minerals and/or other imperfections in the groundwater might eventually have a deleterious effect upon the mechanical components of the system.
The closed loop system uses an isolated source of water which is continually recycled through the exchange system comprised of either vertical wells and/or horizontal manifolds. A closed loop well is typically constructed with a supply and return high density polyethylene pipe and "U" bend fitting in the bottom of the well. This configuration permits circulation of water down the entire length of the well and subsequent return to the surface. A closed loop well is typically 200 to 400 feet in depth, thus permitting the water isolated in the system to exchange heat with the earth adjacent to the well without permitting any potential contamination of this exchange fluid. Multiple closed loop wells are usually required, necessitating a properly engineered manifold system at the surface to ensure balance flow conditions during system operation. The amount of vertical loop required will vary some from one location to another, but will usually fall around 150 of vertical loop per mechanical ton of the system.
For a more detailed understanding of geothermal systems, please consult the various Industry Links provided herein.