Horizontal vs Vertical Loop Calculator
Compare cost and performance of horizontal and vertical ground loops.
Vertical Loop Cost
$17,500.00
Horizontal Loop Cost
$16,000.00
Inputs
tons
$/ft
$/ft
acres
BTU/(hr·ft·°F)
Comparison
Cost Difference
$1,500.00
Land for Horizontal
0.46 acres
Sufficient Land (1=Yes)
1
Cost Breakdown
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the building's heating and cooling load in tons.
- Input the available land area in square feet for horizontal trenching.
- Set the soil thermal conductivity and trench depth.
- Enter the cost per foot for horizontal trenching vs vertical drilling.
- Review the cost comparison and recommended loop type based on land availability and soil conditions.
How the result changes with Soil Conductivity
| Soil Conductivity | Vertical Loop Cost | Horizontal Loop Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 0.52 | $33,654.00 | $30,769.00 |
| 0.82 | $21,341.00 | $19,512.00 |
| 1.18 | $14,831.00 | $13,559.00 |
| 1.48 | $11,824.00 | $10,811.00 |
What each input means
- System Size
- Heat pump system size in tons (1 ton = 12,000 BTU/hr).
- Vertical Bore Cost
- Cost per foot for vertical bore drilling.
- Horizontal Trench Cost
- Cost per foot for horizontal trench installation.
- Available Land
- Available land area for horizontal loop installation.
- Soil Conductivity
- Thermal conductivity of the soil.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersSystem Size = 4, Vertical Bore Cost = 25, Horizontal Trench Cost = 8, Available Land = 0.5 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate Vertical Loop CostVertical Loop Cost17500 = $17,500
- Calculate Horizontal Loop CostHorizontal Loop Cost16000 = $16,000
- Calculate Cost DifferenceCost Difference1500 = $1,500
- Calculate Land for HorizontalLand for Horizontal0.46 = 0.46
Related Calculators
The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.
Geothermal Energy
Ground Loop Sizing Calculator
Calculate bore depth and loop length for a geothermal heat pump.
Geothermal EnergyGeothermal Savings Calculator
Calculate annual savings compared to conventional HVAC.
Geothermal EnergyEnhanced Geothermal Output Calculator
Calculate power output from an enhanced geothermal system (EGS).
More in Energy & Utilities.