English 421Y: Technical Writing Online

Purpose: To better understand vertical loop geothermal systems
Unanswered Questions: What certifications does one need to install a geothermal system?
Source(s): http://www.igshpa.okstate.edu/directory/directory.asp
http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/my...

I was able to find more information on certifications from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Website (Energy Savers). They had a link to International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) website. The IGSHPA encourages the employment of someone who has been accredited by them to install a system. Their certification includes training as well as an accreditation exam.

From the Energy Savers website I gained a better understanding of the vertical loop geothermal system. It is called this due to the way that the coils are installed. The website also had a great graphic that showed how a vertical loop system was installed. This graphic will more than likely be used in the white paper as way to show what the vertical loop system looks like.

The main benefit that a vertical loop system has is the area required for installation. Because the coils are placed vertically into the ground less space is needed. This makes vertical loop an excellent option for not only homeowners look to retrofit their house (where a horizontal system would disrupt more of the landscape) but also for commercial buildings (where digging up enough area for horizontal systems would be too cost prohibitive).

One of the disadvantages of vertical loop geothermal systems is that they are more expensive to install. While a horizontal system can be installed in a trench that is 4-10 feet deep. The major difference in the cost of installing a vertical loop system is due to the fact that a vertical loop system needs to be installed in a borehole that is 200-300 feet deep.

Now that I understand how vertical loop systems function, I will next focus my research on more specifics of vertical loop geothermal systems. I will be researching the financial costs and benfits of installing a vertical loop system.