The earth loop transfers heat to and from the ground eliminating the need for fossil fuels. It's the heart of a geothermal system, and its biggest advantage over ordinary heating and cooling technologies. Earth loops come in two basic types. Closed loops, made of durable high-density polyethylene pipe, are buried in the earth or submerged in a lake or pond. They transfer heat by circulating a solution of water and environmentally safe antifreeze. Open loops use ground water pumped from a well as a heat source.

The type to use depends on the terrain, the cost of trenching or drilling, the availability of quality ground water, and available space.

Vertical Loop Vertical loops are used when space is limited. Holes are bored using a drilling rig, and a pair of pipes with special u-bend fittings is inserted into the holes. A typical home requires four to six bores with about a 15-foot separation between the holes.	Horizontal Loop Used where adequate land is available, horizontal loops involve one or more trenches that are dug using a backhoe or chain trencher. Polyethylene pipes are inserted and the trenches are backfilled. A typical home requires 1/4 to 3/4 of an acre for the trenches.
Pond Loop If an adequately sized body of water is close to your home, a pond loop can be installed. A series of closed loops can be coiled and sunk to the bottom. A 1/2 acre, 8-foot deep pond is usually sufficient for the average home.	Open Loop An open loop is used where there is an abundant supply of quality well water. The well must have enough capacity to provide adequate low for both domestic use and the WaterFurnace unit. Synergy3 units require 6-9 GPM during operation.

Source: WaterFurnace

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