Residential Geothermal Installation – Topsfield, MA


Overview

Achieve contracted with a local builder for the installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system in an 8,000 square foot, three story residence in Topsfield. The installation also included providing heat and air conditioning to a bonus room over a detached three car garage. The residence was completely renovated; the garage is new construction.

Design

Achieve calculated the heat and cooling loads for the house using industry recognized methods. A horizontal closed-loop heat exchanger was sized according to the heat load requirements. At the owner’s request, the residence was divided into eleven heating and cooling zones. Two heat pump/air handler package units were placed in the basement to provide heat to the main floor. Two split unit heat pumps were placed in the basement with air handlers on the third floor to provide heat to the second and third floor. Three of the groundsource heat pumps also provide domestic hot water. One split unit was chosen for the bonus room over the garage.

Installation

The geothermal loop was installed in trenches. Excavation to 8 feet deep was provided by the builder, with the ground loop installation by Achieve. Approximately 1,400 feet of trench was excavated over an 8 day period. Over 7,300 feet of tubing was installed within the trenches. Achieve provided the installation of the heat pumps, duct work, thermostats, humidifiers and zone controls.

Key Site Information


Site Location:
  • Topsfield, MA
  • 8,000 sq. ft residence
  • Property abuts Ipswich River
  • Geothermal ground loop trenches to fit within 0.5 acres of land

Date of Install:

  • Winter 2008

Site Details:

  • Formerly heated by fuel oil
  • No heat source during installation
  • Numerous sub-contractors requiring heat to continue their work