National statistics on geothermal installations show that vertical ground loops are the second most common form of installation, after horizontal ground loops. In any given year our business at Quantum Geothermal is split roughly 50 / 50 between horizontal and vertical installations. This deviation from the national average is attributable to the fact that we continue to install a significant number of geothermal systems in urban and suburban locations where the property is not large enough to accommodate a horizontal ground loop.
Vertically drilled systems only requires 100 – 300 sq. ft. (10 – 30 sq. m.) of surface area on a property, whereas a horizontal loop typically requires a run of 100 yards (100 m) or more of flat land to excavate the length of the trench. Vertically drilled systems take several days to complete and are more expensive then horizontal systems, but they offer the ideal solution in many situations where space, access, or pre-existing landscaping features preclude the excavation of one or more long horizontal trenches.
Quantum Geothermal uses a rotary mud drilling process to drill through a variety of materials (overburden, clay and rock) to a depth of about 180 feet (60 m). Once these boreholes are completed, high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe is inserted into the boreholes and each hole is then grouted with a bentonite material to complete the installation. The drill rig trucks used by Quantum Geothermal are fully compliant with all MOE and CSA requirements for drilling geothermal installations in Ontario.
The most appropriate design for the ground loop for your home and property can easily be determined by completing one of our energy evaluations, having a quick discussion with a Quantum representative or arranging for a site visit to your home.