Horizontal loops:
Horizontal loops are a common geothermal option when a lot of land surface is available. The geothermal piping is placed in trenches closer to the surface. This reduces the cost of drilling and initial installation.
Vertical Loops:
Vertical loops are the most common system in Vancouver residential neighborhoods. When land surface area is limited drilling equipment is used to dig deeper, up to 300 feet, into the ground. The geothermal piping is placed in these small diameter holes.
Pond Loops:
Pond or lake loops are the most economical geothermal systems to install. When an adequate body of water is available excavation costs are greatly reduced as the geothermal pipes are simply laid at the bottom of the body of water.
Open Loops:
Open loop geothermal systems utilize ground water as a direct energy source. In ideal conditions, an open loop application can be the most economical type of geothermal system.
Boiler Tower Systems.
A boiler tower system is utilized when large geothermal systems are not viable. An existing boiler tower will be retrofitted with a geothermal system. This would be a hybrid system working in conjunction with a conventional heating system to maximize efficiency.