Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Make up water for underground loop geothermal system
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07-20-01, 10:05 AM
hello fellow diy'rs:
i have a spectra geothermal system in the garage attic. it has an underground water loop. i noticed that the water hoses that enter the unit were kinked. there was not enough water in the hoses as checked by a pressure gauge.
the repairman suggested that i take a line from the cold water inlet to the water heater (in the garage)to the water outlet line of the underground loop. this line would have a check valve, pressure regulator and air exhaust valve. the leak in the underground tubing seems to be very small (maybe a few gallons a year) and rather than trying to dig another loop, this idea seems good.
any thoughts or suggestions?
thank you
shireesh
i have a spectra geothermal system in the garage attic. it has an underground water loop. i noticed that the water hoses that enter the unit were kinked. there was not enough water in the hoses as checked by a pressure gauge.
the repairman suggested that i take a line from the cold water inlet to the water heater (in the garage)to the water outlet line of the underground loop. this line would have a check valve, pressure regulator and air exhaust valve. the leak in the underground tubing seems to be very small (maybe a few gallons a year) and rather than trying to dig another loop, this idea seems good.
any thoughts or suggestions?
thank you
shireesh
PDF
07-20-01, 01:12 PM
a practical idea.Especially if we are talking a couple thousand feet of pipe.Does your system contain water?Or a mixture of water and glycol(anti-freeze)?I would go one step further.....Have repair person install a water meter on the supply water line to the loop.This way you can check it every month or so for water usage.6 or 7 months down the road...if water usage to the loop has increased dramaticaly you know your leak is no longer SMALL.PDF
07-21-01, 02:23 PM
Thank you PDF, very good suggestion. I will definitely do this.
thanks again
shireesh
thanks again
shireesh
07-21-01, 05:27 PM
It is generally against code and common sense to connect anything containing antifreeze to domestic water supply. Check valves are not designed for this purpose and should not be counted on to protect you from a backflow stituation. It it is a minor leak why not just fill it manually a couple times a year? If system is just water install a backflow preventer instead of the check valve. Very unhealthy thing like to grow in that closed loop water.
07-31-01, 10:04 AM
hello markz:
my water loop does not contain any antifreeze or glycols. it is my understanding that glycols are necessary only as far as they help in lowering the freezing point of water so water will not freeze in the piping. as the piping is under the earth where there is constant temp. of approx 50 to 60 F, if you keep the water circulating, it will not freeze.
best regards
shireesh
my water loop does not contain any antifreeze or glycols. it is my understanding that glycols are necessary only as far as they help in lowering the freezing point of water so water will not freeze in the piping. as the piping is under the earth where there is constant temp. of approx 50 to 60 F, if you keep the water circulating, it will not freeze.
best regards
shireesh