open or closed loop
Last Post 05 Jul 2009 09:33 PM by joe.ami. 7 Replies.
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duck79User is Offline
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04 Jul 2009 07:21 AM
I am building a new home on  a large very clear, rocky lake in the Ozarks. My lake front property has access to  deep water.  The lake drops to 30 feet deep 100 feet from the bank and is deeper yet further out.  In my current home I have an open loop (well) system and like its simplicity. Is there any benefit to an open loop system  with it's  extra electric costs for pumping the water  200 feet laterally  and raising it 60 feet from the lake. Or, are there fewer complications putting a closed loop coil in the lake. 
jonrUser is Online
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04 Jul 2009 10:51 AM
If you put the water directly back in the lake or used a closed loop, the the 60' of lift is canceled out by the water running back downhill. A closed loop will make freezing easier to protect against.

duck79User is Offline
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04 Jul 2009 11:49 AM
I intend to put the water back in the lake via a decorative creek bed.
fsq4cwUser is Offline
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04 Jul 2009 11:28 PM
Open loop may be more efficient, paricularly if cooling is large requirement, as this may be able to be done passively if the water is cold enough. However, be prepared for more loop maintenance with open loop.

SR
engineerUser is Offline
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05 Jul 2009 08:23 AM
Pumping open loop water up that high may add enough extra power cost to overcome the improved efficiency of open loop.

OTOH an issue with closed loop is keeping it safe from marine traffic and fishermens' gear
Curt Kinder

Absent data, you have only an opinion. No thing done well is as simple as it seems

www.hoviscustombuilders.com
AltonUser is Offline
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05 Jul 2009 09:29 AM

duck79,
If you do use an open loop, be sure that the pickup and return are not on the bottom of the lake.  No worry about the return if you use a decorative creek bed.

Maybe you could get the pumps sized for an open and closed loop system to compare the electrical use.

Alton C. Keown
Residential Designer and Construction Technology Consultant
Auburn, Alabama
E-mail: alton at auburn dot edu
jonrUser is Online
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05 Jul 2009 04:40 PM

If you pump and dump at the top, then you have to put the pump near the bottom (the lake).  So you need a long wiring run.


I'd just go closed loop.




joe.amiUser is Offline
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05 Jul 2009 09:33 PM
First question is what's in the water? Clear doesn't mean it's suitable.
Filtration would be employed and could easily require more care than your current system.
Good Luck,
Joe
Just a Mechanic;
Geothermal; Savings Underfoot
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