Orchard Valley Technology, Inc
4 South Main Street , Haydenville, Massachusetts, United States

OVT Supply was established in 1996 in Haydenville, MA, to support the mechanical trades with the best available supplies and equipment. After many years supplying the industry with the highest of quality products, the owners recognized that there is a growing need for more efficient and environmentally supportive HVAC equipment, and we made the decision to provide geothermal heat pumps.  In 2008 we set out to find a geothermal ground source heat pump of high quality that is built for our New England climate. After much research we found ECONAR, a reputable manufacturer who offers an outstanding product. Our team of experts has been trained and certified for installation and service of ECONAR geothermal heat pumps.  In New England, heating is the main priority and that’s where ECONAR excels. ECONAR is the only manufacture that can withstand temperatures of 110* F to -60* F, and provide 100% of the heating and cooling needs as well as up to 65% of domestic hot water. Other heat pumps are geared towards cooling and have a low heating capacity.

Geothermal

The word “geothermal” comes from the Greek “geo,” meaning earth, and “therine,” meaning heat. Geothermal energy is energy created by using the natural heat of the earth found as little as four feet under your back yard!  Geothermal technology can be used to providing heating or cooling services for homes, offices, schools – any building that requires heat in the winter and cooling in the summer. In each instance the process is similar.

Geothermal Heating

In the heating mode, water is circulated through pipes in the ground. This “earth loop” is colder than the surrounding ground causing the water to absorb energy in the form of heat, from the earth. The water carries this energy to the heat exchanger in the geothermal pump. In the heat exchanger, a refrigerant gas absorbs the heat energy from the water. The water then leaves the heat exchanger back at the colder temperature, and again circulates through the earth loop to pick up more energy.  The refrigerant gas, which contains energy gained from the earth loop, travels from the heat exchanger to the compressor. In the compressor, the refrigerant temperature rises to 160°. From the compressor, the superheated refrigerant travels to the air heat exchanger. Here, the heat pump's blower circulates air across the air coil, increasing the temperature of the air, which is blown through ductwork to heat the building. After refrigerant releases its heat energy to the air, it then flows to the earth loop heat exchanger to start the cycle again.

Geothermal Cooling

In the cooling mode, the water circulating in the earth loop is warmer than the surrounding ground. This causes the water to release energy, in the form of heat, into the earth. The water, now cooler from traveling through the ground flows to the heat exchanger in the geothermal pump. In the heat exchanger, hot refrigerant gas from the compressor releases its heat into the water. This causes the water to increase temperature, which it releases to the ground.  The refrigerant, which has released its heat energy and became a cold liquid, now travels to the heat exchanger. Here the heat pump's blower circulates warm, humid air across the cold air coil – creating a flow of air that is cooler than the surrounding room-temperature. This cooler air is then blown through ductwork to cool the home. The refrigerant in the air coil picks up the heat energy from the air, and travels to the compressor. When the refrigerant leaves the compressor, it then flows to the earth loop heat exchanger to start the cycle again.