Convert ac condenser to geothermal?

[rxstevan]

I have had the unfortunate experience of the theft of my home ac condenser coils, just the coils. They left the guts in apparently good condition. It is a 2 ton unit and my house is less than 1000sf

Would it be possible just bury the copper line around the perimeter(350ft) of my house/yard, and use the condenser as is.
I have read about the ph level being possibly being a problem, and have yet test the soil.
What would be the limiting factor? What do the geothermal units have that is different?

I have basic knowlege of how the system works, and in my younger days, have been a fibergalss duct installer for 4 yrs with equipment sets (not start ups). Also redone my auto ac with a parallel flow condenser with great success. I do have a couple friends to help with the more technical aspect if it is possible.

Sorry if this has been asked before, I did a search to no avail.
Thanks.

[rxstevan]

This is in Florida, the soil temp is around 75ish, I think.

[Grizzly]

I have had the unfortunate experience of the theft of my home ac condenser coils, just the coils. They left the guts in apparently good condition. It is a 2 ton unit and my house is less than 1000sf

Would it be possible just bury the copper line around the perimeter(350ft) of my house/yard, and use the condenser as is.
I have read about the ph level being possibly being a problem, and have yet test the soil.
What would be the limiting factor? What do the geothermal units have that is different?

I have basic knowlege of how the system works, and in my younger days, have been a fibergalss duct installer for 4 yrs with equipment sets (not start ups). Also redone my auto ac with a parallel flow condenser with great success. I do have a couple friends to help with the more technical aspect if it is possible.

Sorry if this has been asked before, I did a search to no avail.
Thanks.

Welcome rxstevan.

Others with more knowledge on this subject may prove me wrong.

But the basic purpose of a Condensor is to give off heat.
Converting the hot refrigerant gasses back into a liquid.
As I understand it a geothermal system uses the ground as a heat source.

Therfore what you are proposing could not work.
Cheers Grizzly

[nike123]

Welcome rxstevan.

Others with more knowledge on this subject may prove me wrong.

But the basic purpose of a Condensor is to give off heat.
As I understand it a geothermal system uses the ground as a heat source.

Therfore what you are proposing could not work.
Cheers Grizzly

Grizly, geothermal heat pumps use its ground loop as condenser in cooling mode.

Look here (http://www.groundloop.com/simulator-cool.htm#cool)

[Grizzly]

Grizly, geothermal heat pumps use its ground loop as condenser in cooling mode.

Look here (http://www.groundloop.com/simulator-cool.htm#cool)

Thanks Nike.
Always something new to learn.
And I am not to old to do so yet!
That's exactly why my answer was cautious.
Once again thanks.
Grizzly

[taz24]

You could do it if you wanted but there would be a few things you need to take into consideration.

The copper tube placed in the ground must be coated in plastic to stop corrosion. the lenght and duty must be callculated to esure it is long enough, too short and the thing will not condense. Too, too long and the refrigerant will over condense.

It is possible do achieve, there are a lot of direct expansion heat pumps out there that do this (with the evap) so it is do-able.

taz.

[jdstoke]

A Geothermal system does not use a refrigerant. It utilizes water or antifreeze in a closed loop system.

[The MG Pony]

A Geothermal system does not use a refrigerant. It utilizes water or antifreeze in a closed loop system.


Read your history my friend, they where the first ones out there where the copper directly acted, this was phased out due tot he high risk of refrigerant release, that is when they started using water collectors rather then Dx.

@OP

Get your self a water to refrigerant heat exchanger, burry the plastic pipe down to 4-5 feet and as much of it you can! then you get a speed controller and a pump.

Now you can balance the system with the flow rate and have reserv capacity!

[rxstevan]

Thanks.
Yes, I later found that 350-500 ft of burried pipe per ton is required, copper would be too expensive.
I also have a small yard, but I read that a slinky type layout of the inground tubing may work.

[The MG Pony]

Just use a plastic tube collector and then a coaxial Hx in the unit.