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Geothermal Helical Piles
A revolutionary combination of deep foundation and geothermal energy technology
Helical piles and geothermal energy technology have been brought together to deliver both the foundation for a structure and provide the boreholes necessary to run the geothermal loop. The result? A geothermal heating system that costs less and is easier to install than traditional systems.
What's a Geothermal Helical Pile?
A geothermal helical pile combines the unique properties of a helical foundation with the efficient and environmentally-friendly power of geothermal heating.
The result is that a structure can be heated and cooled entirely (or nearly entirely) by geothermal for less cost than a typical geothermal setup.
It eliminates the usual boreholing work that needs to be done to install geothermal loops and reduces time-to-install.
How Does A Geothermal Helical Pile Work?
Geothermal helical piles leverage the unique properties of a helical foundation to install geothermal loops more efficiently
Typical geothermal heating systems are installed, in part, by drilling boreholes into the earth and inserting the pipe that will create a geothermal loop.
Helical piles are a deep foundation solution that uses a helix plate welded to a hollow steel pipe. The helix plate allows the pile to turn down into the ground like a large screw, and they're typically installed anywhere from 25 to 60+ feet deep.
Because the shaft of a helical pile is hollow and (usually) extends far into the ground, it's an ideal location for a geothermal loop.
Instead of installing the geothermal pipes into boreholes, they're run down the hollow shaft of the helical pile and emerge just at the top. Grout is then added to maximize thermal conductivity.
See How The Geothermal Loop Is Installed
Benefits of a Geothermal Helical Pile Foundation
Lower Cost
Because the helical pile shafts are used to install the geothermal loops, it eliminates (or at least dramatically reduces) the need to drill boreholes. This saves on the cost of hauling additional machines to site and the labor for drilling.
Less Footprint
Typical geothermal systems are installed outside the footprint of the structure. This can restrict future construction as it's forced to "build around" geothermal infrastructure. With geothermal helical piles, the footprint does not extend beyond the structure.
Versatile
Highly adaptable and customizable, geothermal helical piles can be used for slab on grade, ICF, beam, and other foundation configurations. Able to be installed in a wide variety of ground conditions with high load capacities, they're ideal for residential or commercial structures.
Easy To Install
Geothermal helical piles are easier and faster to install than other foundations and eliminate the need for additional boreholing. This can save weeks of time compared to a traditional foundation and geothermal heating installation.
Environmentally-Friendly
Many foundation solutions have a large impact on the environment, from extensive excavation to the reliance on mass amounts of carbon-intensive materials. Geothermal helical piles are made entirely from steel, require no excavation, and can eventually be removed and recycled.
High Performance
Thermal performance on geothermal helical piles can outperform typical concrete columns, due in part to the steel shaft providing excellent heat retention. In one of our installations, just six geothermal piles were able to supply 100% of the heating and cooling for a 1,560 square foot home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Geothermal Helical Piles
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Where can I use geothermal helical piles?
You can use geothermal helical piles as a foundation solution for a variety of structures and soil conditions. To know if they're suitable for your specific situation, the most reliable way to know if they'll work for you is to get in touch with our team.
Generally speaking, however, geothermal helical piles can be ideal for the following conditions:● Helical pile foundations are a sensible investment for the project (i.e. it already makes sense to use helical piles and soil conditions are appropriate)● There is a minimum embedment depth of at least 25ft, to ensure piles go deep enough to support geothermal● A strong geothermal engineering partner is available to help design the system● A qualified professional helical pile contractor is available with the knowledge and equipment to correctly install the piles
Get in touch with our team to know more.What types of foundation can I use?
Geothermal helical piles can be used to support structures that have slab-on-grade, ICF block, beam, or other foundations. They can be used in structures with basements.
Is it cheaper than traditional geothermal systems?
Under the right conditions, a geothermal helical pile system will save money over a typical geothermal setup. It does this by eliminating the laborious boreholing work associated with geothermal loops and incorporates the loop directly into the pile.
How do I get a geothermal helical pile system?
If you're a general contractor builder, engineer, architect, or developer, our team can work with you to see if a geothermal helical pile system is right for your structure. We are also available to host lunch and learns that will walk you and your team through the details. Get in touch with us for more information.
If you are a homeowner planning a build and are interested in using geothermal helical piles, we can direct you to our engineering partners that can assist.
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