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Efficient Heating and Cooling from the Earth

Geothermal Exchange Systems

For projects requiring energy-efficient, all electric heating and cooling; GeoExchange systems are a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuel reliant HVAC systems.

Geoexchange system diagram - geothermal heating system
Geoexchange system & geothermal heat pump construction site in Salt Lake City, Utah

GeoExchange Systems

Earth-Sourced Heating and Cooling

To meet the increasing demand for all-electric HVAC systems, heat pump systems using GeoExchange are tough to beat. Heat pumps with GeoExchange, or ground source heat pumps, are a unique alternative with attractive benefits.

Using the earth as a source for heating and cooling energy is nothing new; this technology has been around for decades, and GeoExchange systems are just one application. These systems heat and cool a facility by injecting or extracting stored heat energy from inside the upper crust of the earth.

These energy systems are ideal for residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities that want to reduce their long-term carbon footprint, optimize energy costs, and lower or eliminate their fossil fuel dependence to meet sustainability goals. Though GeoExchange systems require a greater upfront investment, the financial benefits over the lifetime of a facility can be monumental.

Read on to learn more about how our team taps into geothermal energy for cleaner energy solutions in Utah and beyond.

Why VBFA is the Trusted GeoExchange Systems Expert

Our proven experience, highly-skilled team, and detailed execution are why so many discerning clients turn to VBFA for high-efficiency energy heating and cooling designs.

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100% In-House Service

Unlike many firms, VBFA can complete the entire design of a GeoExchange system in-house. From testing the site’s ground properties to completing due diligence with respect to local ordinances, we can design, test, and manage the entire project from start to finish. That means greater transparency and less legwork for you.

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Uniquely Skilled Team

Utah has less than a handful of certified GeoExchange designers, and we’re proud to have one here at VBFA. Our team’s understanding of these systems is a rare, specialized area of engineering that can be hard to find at most mechanical engineering firms.

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Impressive Track Record

Our impressive track record of success is seen and experienced by thousands of Utahns every day. The systems we’ve designed can be found in high-efficiency buildings throughout Utah. This includes K-12, municipal buildings, and several libraries across the state.

“Ground source heat pump systems have become a superb answer to rising energy and construction costs, a system every project owner should consider.”

– Wade Bennion, Principal

Notable Projects

Explore some recent Geothermal Engineering projects from our portfolio.

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Sustainability

Designing & Supporting Sustainable Building Solutions

VBFA is proud to hold a legacy as one of the earliest pioneers of sustainable engineering in Utah. Our commitment to higher energy efficiency through systems using GeoExchange is just one example of how our firm continues to make sustainable technology more accessible in Utah — or wherever our work takes us. From adapting new energy technology, to meeting our clients’ changing expectations, our engineers stay one step ahead. Combining our years of experience with an understanding of this niche engineering specialty, we help you design and implement a more sustainable solution for your facility’s air comfort and quality.

Electrical design sustainability | Utah engineering firm in Salt Lake City, UT | VBFA

Our GeoExchange System Services

From design to system testing and commissioning, our engineers are capable of managing each facet of your GeoExchange system implementation.

Local ordinace assessment - building code analysis

Local Ordinance Assessment

Testing

Site Testing and Supervision

Project coordination

Project Coordination

Custom system design

Custom System Design

Vertical hole drilling

Vertical Borehole Drilling

About VBFA

Engineering Excellence for More Than 50 Years

Our years of experience and proven track record are invaluable when it comes to the success of your project — especially when your facility involves alternative solutions that require specialized engineering expertise.

VBFA’s ongoing commitment to progress and professionalism is what allows our team to step up and deliver impressive and unconventional projects other firms can’t. Thanks to the creativity and courage of our newest generation of engineering professionals, we are sustaining the hard-earned VBFA reputation as a prominent industry leader.

business information modeling (BIM) | Utah Engineering Firm in Salt Lake City | VBFA

What Our Clients Have to Say

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Recent News & Articles

See why VBFA has been making headlines.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is geothermal heating and cooling?

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source that takes advantage of the Earth’s stable heat. Heat energy can be extracted from rock, soil, or from beneath bodies of water. A ground source or geothermal exchange heating and cooling system consists of a heat pump and a network of underground pipes, installed in horizontal trenches or vertical boreholes hundreds of feet below ground. The heat pump circulates fluid through the pipes to transport heat from point to point.

In the winter, when the ground temperature is warmer than the air temperature, the heat pump transports heat from the ground into the building. In the summer, it can operate in reverse to cool the building. Ground source heat pumps need some electricity to drive the heat pump process, yet require much less than conventional HVAC systems.

What is a ground source heat pump?

A ground source heat pump, also called a geothermal heat pump, is a water-source mechanical system that uses a GeoExchange or ground heat exchanger to heat and cool a building. These systems include the heat pump units, the ground heat exchanger — which includes a network of underground pipe — the building distribution piping, and the ductwork which delivers conditioned air to the occupied spaces.

How much does a ground source heat pump cost?

The cost of a ground source heat pump or GeoExchange systems depends on many factors — including the site on which you are building, the size of your facility, as well as its design and performance goals.. The cost of the building systems is comparable to conventional HVAC systems, but there is an additional cost related to the ground heat exchanger. However, most facilities experience a return on investment quickly.

According to the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA), these systems bring between 25 and 50 percent savings on heating and cooling costs when compared to conventional fossil fuel systems. Their payback period is estimated to be somewhere between 5 to 10 years, according to the Department of Energy.

How much space is needed for a ground source heat pump?

The amount of space needed differs depending on which type of ground source heat pump you choose.

When less ground area is available, GeoExchange systems typically take advantage of vertical wells. Multiple boreholes are drilled into the earth at even intervals to depths up to 400 feet. Piping is then installed in the boreholes, and the surrounding space is filled with a thermally enhanced bentonite clay grout to seal the piping and encourage more efficient heat exchange.

In the right climates, when more ground area is readily available (or if vertical drilling is not an option), a horizontal heat exchanger can be used. These include multiple trenches buried just several feet deep in the ground where pipes can be laid in loops.

Does a GeoExchange system use electricity?

While GeoExchange systems use electricity, the overall use is fairly minimal. According to the EPA, “Geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective systems for heating and cooling.” This is because of their low-maintenance design, hyper-efficiency, and lack of dependence on fossil fuels.

The savings from heat pump systems can be traced back to thee use of the refrigeration cycle. This allows much more heating or cooling ‘work’ to be done with much less electrical input. A typical high-efficiency furnace is about 95% efficient — meaning it requires almost the same energy input as the heating energy it generates. Heat pumps, because of the refrigerant cycle, only require a fraction of the electrical energy input to do the same heating or cooling, resulting in efficiencies of around 300%.

Do GeoExchange systems work in cold climates?

GeoExchange systems can operate in both warm and cold climates. That’s because the Earth’s temperature — beginning just several feet below the surface — remains relatively stable throughout the year, regardless of surface temperature fluctuations. A GeoExchange system will have ample heat energy to pull from throughout the cold winter months even when outside air temperatures dip below freezing.

Are ground source heat pumps efficient?

Yes. A highly efficient furnace could boast 96% efficiency (which means that for every 1 unit of energy used to power your furnace, .96 units of heat energy are supplied and .04 units are lost as waste). However, ground source heat pumps can deliver efficiency rates of over 300-400%. That means that for every 1 unit of electrical energy used to power your geo-exchange system, 4 units of heat energy are created.

How long do ground source heat pumps last?

The reason so many owners choose geothermal heat pumps rather than conventional HVAC systems is in large part because of their unmatched reliability and longevity. According to the US Department of Energy, the indoor components of a geo-exchange system or ground source heat pump lasts about 25 years. The underground network of piping, however, can last more than 100 years. Comparatively, traditional furnaces and heat pumps usually last 15 years.

Utah Engineering Consultant in Salt Lake City, UT | MEP Engineers | VBFA

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