We have 15 years of experience in all aspects of the design and installation of energy-efficient geothermal systems and successfully completed over 600 geothermal installation projects throughout the Front Range, from new construction to retrofits of existing structures.
We can answer any questions you may have. We can also assist a client’s other contractors during any part of the planning process. We want to make sure our clients have the most energy-efficient geothermal system to fit their needs and budget.
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First, we will get some information on the construction of your home. Such things as home square footage, type and number of windows, home location, how you heat and cool your home, and how your home is insulated will affect the size of the geothermal system to be installed. A highly insulated home will result in a smaller geothermal loop field, thus saving you money because of your home’s energy efficiency. We can also assist you with your energy goals, like achieving net-zero energy or designing your system to work with solar.
After your questions are answered and the bid is accepted, ground locates are called in for your address to make sure we stay clear of gas lines, water lines, electrical lines, fiber optic, sewer, and sprinklers. The location of the loop field will be determined based on where utilities are located and proximity to where the loop field will connect to the home/heat pump.
Equipment will be brought in our several trucks and trailers and our crew will strategically set up equipment and prepare the area for drilling. It will seem like a lot of equipment but our crew are experts in bringing a lot of equipment into tight spaces and making the most efficient use of space.
We typically drill 200-400 foot boreholes and place a U-shaped loop down the borehole. We then grout the hole to improve the thermal conductivity and improve heat transfer. Efficient installation and employee safety is our priority. Our crew will work fastidiously and methodically to keep the site clean but drilling can cause dust, mud, and water to accumulate on the job site. We will coordinate any removal of excess water or drill cuttings with the homeowner/builder to necessitate a safe job site. There is generally an extra expense for material haul away that is spelled out in the estimate. Geothermal drilling of your system will take anywhere from a few days to a week or two depending on the size, scope, drilling conditions, and weather.
Once the geothermal loops are installed, excavating around the loops and digging a trench to manifold all of the loops together to bring into your home will happen. High-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) is used and is heat fused together to form joints stronger than the pipe itself. This work is generally performed in a day or two.
Once all loops are fused together, we will bury everything and bring your yard back to a rough grade. We are not landscapers so we don’t lay sod, rock, or plant trees. Most homeowners either do it themselves or hire a landscaper to come back in and lay sod or take the opportunity to do a landscape update.
After all exterior work is performed, we will connect the geothermal loop field to piping inside your home that connects to your geothermal heat pump. The heat pump is set by an HVAC contractor. Our crew handles connecting the exterior loop field to the heat pump. Your geothermal system will be filled with a water solution, purged, and pressurized. This interior process generally takes 1-2 days. Most geothermal system installations take about 1-2 weeks for drilling, fusing, and heat pump installation.
One of the best things about your geothermal system, besides the energy-efficient heating and cooling, is that you no longer have an outside air conditioner making noise and ruining your outdoor aesthetics. Your close proximity neighbors will notice how quiet it is and you will be enjoying the quiet sounds of nature, as it was intended. In fact most neighbors hardly notice we’ve been there after everything is complete.
CONGRATULATIONS! You just became the next Genius Geothermal Homeowner!