How does Geothermal balance the load on the ground mass?
When using a loop the ground mass surrounding the loop pipe will cool all winter and be heated all summer making for a balanced system. The sizing of the system to the heat loss and heat gain is important when considering land mass heating and cooling. The ground loop temperature will vary based on the loading factors. Depending on your area, with a closed loop system, the temperature of the ground will swing between seasons. For example in the Detroit area, the temperature can swing from approximately 50 degrees For at start up down to 34 degrees F at the end of the first winter. At the start of cooling season, the ground temperature is at 34 degrees F, can go up to approximately 70 degrees F by the end of the first summer and the balance is started.
