Tag: ground loops

Leak in the ground source loops

We have had our fair share of problems with the ground source heat pump.  At first, it kept tripping out with low pressure alerts.  The ground loops were flushed 3 or 4 times and eventually the alerts abated – we have only had one in the past 3 months.

However, there seems to be a leak on the ground loops and the end result is that we lose pressure  in the system.  This is a bit surprising since we had the ground loops on a pressure test for a few weeks after the ground was back filled – we didn’t lose a drop during this period.  However, the larger pipes that connect the manifolds were back filled later and we believe that the joints on these larger (653mm) pipes may have worked loose.  In hindsight, we should have made sure that all the joints in the system were accessible from inside the manhole, however, we now have no choice other than to dig them up.

This one was dug by hand.  It was decided it was time to order an excavator after this one.

This one was dug by hand. It was decided it was time to order an excavator after this one.

Unfortunately, not all of the joints are accessible via the manholes.  This means if you want to check them, then a hole (a big one) has to be dug.  This one was dug by hand.

Unfortunately, not all of the joints are accessible via the manholes. This means if you want to check them, then a hole (a big one) has to be dug. This one was dug by hand.

The task here is to dig holes alongside the existing manholes so that we can access the pipework that runs alongside them.  The majority of the digging was done by machine.  The last 300mm was dug by hand.

The task here is to dig holes alongside the existing manholes so that we can access the pipework that runs alongside them. The majority of the digging was done by machine. The last 300mm was dug by hand.

Problems with the heat pump

The ground source heat pump worked well for about 2 weeks and then started shutting down with a low pressure alarm.  This is normally due to an issue with circulation of fluid in the ground loops.  Last Friday, we had to give up and turn the unit off altogether.  We have now been without heating and hot water for the last week.

Initially, it was thought that it was dirt in the system, but there was no dirt in any of the strainers and the system was flushed to prove the point.  Then it was thought that it was the pump that pumps the antifreeze around the ground loops.  This was replaced, but the fault still persisted.

Neither the installer or NuHeat have been able to resolve the problem despite their best efforts.  This issue now resides with Nibe who are the manufacturer of the ground source heat pump unit itself.  Unfortunately, this means further delays as we have to wait for an appointment for the engineer to come out.

When the heat pump is back up and working, it will take 2-3 days at least for the property to get back up to full temperature.  We are just gratefully that it hasn’t been too cold yet this winter!

Last 1000m of ground loops installed

The last 1km of ground loops were installed today for the ground source heat pump.  We thought we might have run out of space, but much to our surprise, it all fitted with a little bit of space to spare.  Phew. This was some welcome good news as we thought we might need to dig up even more land. 

Tomorrow, we can start filling it all back in!

All of the remaining 1000m of pipe have been installed today.  We thought there might not have been enough room, but it all fitted in with a bit to spare.

All of the remaining 1000m of pipe have been installed today. We thought there might not have been enough room, but it all fitted in with a bit to spare.

The stones and bricks are just used to weigh the pipes down while being installed.  The stones will be removed before being covered with sand.

The stones and bricks are just used to weigh the pipes down while being installed. The stones will be removed before being covered with sand.

This is the third of the three manholes which houses the last 600m of ground loops.

This is the third of the three manholes which houses the last 600m of ground loops.

Getting ready to install the last 1000m of ground loops

Now the last part of the field has been excavated, we need to lay sand on the bottom of the hole to protect the pipes that will be laid on top.

By the time we have finished, we will have use almost 200 tonnes of sand.

At the moment, this part of the field more closely resembles a beach!

I just hope that it is going to be big enough to take the remaining pipework.

This has to be the largest expanse of sand in Holmfirth.  We reckon it is somewhere between 800-900 sqm.

This has to be the largest expanse of sand in Holmfirth. We reckon it is somewhere between 800-900 sqm.

Sand is put on the bottom of the excavated ground to protect the pipework. More sand will be put on top of the pipes before the subsoil is re-instated.

Sand is put on the bottom of the excavated ground to protect the pipework. More sand will be put on top of the pipes before the subsoil is re-instated.

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