Horizontal Loops are installed in areas where the soil conditions allow for economical excavation. Taking up more land area than any other loop type, they are used where space permits. Trenches are normally about five foot deep with multiple pipes placed in the trench at different depths. Normally, several hundred feet of trench is required, but where space permits these loops are considered desirable.

    Vertical Loops are used extensively where land area is limited or soil conditions prohibit digging the more economical horizontal loops. A pair of pipes with a special U-Bend assembly at the bottom are inserted into a bore hole that averages between 150 to 250 feet deep per ton of equipment. These holes are then backfilled with a special grout solution to ensure good contact with the earth.

    Pond Loops are usually very economical to install. If a pond or lake at least eight feet deep is available, pond loops can utilize the water (rather than soil) to transfer heat to and from the pond loop. A coiled pipe is placed in the water, which should cover about 1/2 acre. An average home would require about 900 feet of pipe. Reduced installation costs and high performance are characteristic of this type of loop.

    Open loop installations actually pump water from an underground aquifer through the geothermal unit and then discharge that water to a drainage ditch or pond. The geothermal unit processes the heat energy from the water just like a closed loop installation. Discharging water to a 'return" well is sometimes effective, but sending water to a pond or lake is considered more reliable.