Geothermal Systems

Geothermal Vertical Systems

For a vertical geothermal system, we drill four-inch diameter holes about 20 feet apart and 100 to 400 feet deep. Two pipes go into the holes are connected by a U-bend to form a loop. The vertical loops are connected to a horizontal pipe that are placed in trenches and connected to the heat pump of your building.

Vertical systems use less space and there are fewer problems that are associated with trenching a horizontal system.

Courtesy of U.S. Energy Department

Geothermal Horizontal Systems

This type of installation requires trenches at least four feet deep and two foot wide. The most common layouts either use two pipes, one buried at six feet, and the other at four feet, or two pipes placed side-by-side and five feet into the ground in a two-foot wide trench. There are soil requirement and space allowances needed for the horizontal system.

Courtesy of U.S. Energy Department