Horizontal Loop Installation Questions

Trenches are typically dug 4 to 6 feet deep. That depth keeps the pipe below Colorado’s frost line and in soil with a stable year-round temperature, which is what drives heat exchange efficiency. The exact depth is confirmed during the site assessment based on local soil conditions and the trench layout design.

The loop field needs enough open, unobstructed yard for parallel trench runs. A typical single-family home requires several hundred to over a thousand linear feet of pipe, spread across multiple trenches. The sizing calculation done at assessment confirms whether your lot can accommodate the required layout.

An undersized loop field forces the heat pump to work harder than its design load, which raises energy use and shortens equipment life. Skipping the load calculation is the most common cause of underperforming systems. The written estimate is only issued after the sizing calculation is complete.

Yes. Backfill is compacted in lifts to reduce settling, and the surface is graded and seeded or sodded as part of the installation scope. Most yards show little visible trace of the trench within one growing season, though some settling in the first year is normal.

Colorado homeowners may claim the 30% federal residential clean energy tax credit on qualifying heat pump loop installations through 2032. Consult a tax advisor to confirm eligibility for your specific project, as credit rules can change and depend on how the system is classified.

The assembled loop is pressurized and held at test pressure before backfill begins. If pressure holds steady, the loop is leak-free. If it drops, the leak is located and repaired above ground, far less costly than finding a fault after the trench is filled.