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The pipe in a closed loop system is installed under the surface of the Earth below the frost line in either a horizontal layout or a vertical layout for space restricted areas. The length of the pipe varies with the heating or cooling requirements, the soil type, pipe installation layout, and the location of the installation. The pipe can be installed in several different configurations including both a spiral pattern and a straight pattern.
A typical 2,000 sq. ft. (185.8 mē) residence will require four tons of heating capacity. Each ton of heating capacity requires approximately 91 m (300 ft) of vertical loop or 122 m (400 ft) of horizontal loop. Thus the typical residence will require 366 m (1200 ft) of vertical loop or 488 m (1600 ft) of horizontal loop.
A fluid is circulated through the pipe and absorbs heat from the Earth in heating mode or sinks heat into the Earth in cooling mode. The fluid is typically water. In the case of closed systems an antifreeze such as propylene glycol, denatured ethanol or methanol is often added.
The Earth below the frost line remains at a relatively constant temperature year round, usually between 7-21 degrees Celsius (45-70 degrees Fahrenheit) depending on geographical location.
In the heating mode, the external fluidA subset of the phases of matter, fluids include liquids and gases, plasmas and, to some extent, plastic solids. Fluids share the properties of not resisting deformation and the ability to flow (perhaps otherwise described as their ability to take on the returns from the earth (heat field) at 8-16 degrees Celsius and passes through the heat exchange unit. Within the heat exchanger the internal fluid is allowed to expand and change state into a gas ( vaporization) drawing the heat of vaporizationThe heat of vaporization is a physical property of substances. It is defined as the heat required to vaporize one mole of a substance at its boiling point under standard pressure (101325 Pa). The heat of vaporization is expressed in kJ/mol. The use of kJ/ from the external fluid. This gaseous fluid is then pumped to the compressor which compresses and liquefies the fluid releasing the heat of vaporizationThe heat of vaporization is a physical property of substances. It is defined as the heat required to vaporize one mole of a substance at its boiling point under standard pressure (101325 Pa). The heat of vaporization is expressed in kJ/mol. The use of kJ/ into the airflow within the household heating system. The cooled external fluid is then pumped back into the loop (closed loop system) running outside the house, where its temperature is lower than the temperature of the surrounding soil. It once again absorbs the heatCommonly, heat is estrus, a period of increased sexual drive in female mammals. For the National Basketball Association team, see Miami Heat. For the movie, see Heat (movie). Heat (abbreviated Q also called heat change is the transfer of thermal energy be from the earth and the cycle repeats.