WHAT IS THE OMEGA EZ-SNAPS?
The best geothermal pipe spacer in the world
REDUCED GEOTHERMAL INSTALLATION COSTS
The Omega EZ-Snaps is a geothermal pipe spacer used in vertical ground-source heat pump systems (GSHP) to optimize geothermal borehole efficiency. This increased effiency reduces the total number of boreholes required on a given project, reducing the total geothermal installation costs by 10-20%.
DESIGNED WITH THE INSTALLER'S NEEDS IN MIND
Geothermal pipe spacers, or u-bend pipe separators, are not a new technology. What makes the EZ-Snaps different is that it fixes all the problems associated with traditional pipe spacers. They are easy to install, they do not block, unclip or slide, and most importantly, they allow the insertion of the tremie pipe at anytime. When the ease of installation decides whether or not pipe spacers will be used, the EZ-Snaps make the difference.
HOW IT WORKS
The OMEGA EZ-Snaps is used to position the u-bend pipes of a vertical heat exchanger at the borehole wall. It is designed to separate the pipes as far apart as possible to achieve the highest heat transfer rate possible for that location, pipe size, grouting material, borehole size and depth.
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How does increased pipe spacing improves borehole thermal exchange?
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By decreasing the insulating effects of bentonite-based grout:
Bentonite-based grout placed between the pipe and the borehole wall, because of its low conductivity, reduces the thermal exchange between the pipe and the ground. By positioning the pipe at the borehole wall, heat exchange with the ground is maximized.
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By decreasing pipe thermal interference:
In a u-bend loop, one pipe is cold, and the other is hot. Pipe thermal interference occurs when the cold pipe extracts heat from the hot pipe instead of the surrounding ground. By spacing the pipes, thermal interference is minimized, and thermal exchange with the ground is maximized.
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How does the OMEGA EZ-Snaps achieve u-bend pipe maximal spacing?
Its ''Ω'' shape is designed to match the borehole perfectly. At both ends, its shape naturally pushes the pipes on the borehole wall. To maintain the spacing accross the whole loop, an EZ-Snaps is installed every 10 feet.
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BENEFITS
What makes the EZ-Snaps the best geothermal pipe spacer?
OPTIMIZE BOREHOLE HEAT TRANSFER
By separating the u-bend pipes as far as possible within the borehole, the OMEGA EZ-Snaps reduces energy exchange interference between the two pipes. This pipe spacing optimizes borehole performance.
REDUCES GEOTHERMAL INSTALLATION COSTS
The Omega EZ-Snaps decreases the total number of boreholes required on a given project by 10-20%. This reduces the geothermal piping, grouting, drilling, antifreeze, landscaping and labor costs by 10-20%.
REDUCES PUMPING ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION
By reducing the total number of boreholes, the OMEGA EZ-Snaps reduces the electricity consumption for the circulation fo the heat transfer fluid.
EASY INSTALLATION PROCESS
With its unique design, installing an OMEGA EZ-Snaps is as simple as one-two. It clips easily, and it does not hinder the pipes descent inside the borehole.
ALLOWS INSERTION OR RE-INSERTION OF THE TREMIE PIPE, ANYTIME
The unique ''OMEGA'' shape of the EZ-Snaps geothermal pipe spacer allows the insertion of the tremie pipe at anytime. This is crucial when a problematic borehole requires plugging.
REDUCES INSTALLATION WASTE
As opposed to other geothermal pipe spacers, the OMEGA EZ-Snaps is made in one piece, reducing material waste left in the installation site.
RESEARCH
University-backed studies
INSTALLATION VIDEOS
EZ-Snaps Installation
OUR FAQS
WHY SHOULD I USE THE OMEGA EZ-SNAPS?
The increased thermal efficiency provided by the EZ-Snaps allows a reduction in the total number of boreholes on a given project. The smaller number of boreholes greatly reduces the installations costs.
WHY ARE THE EZ-SNAPS IMPORTANT TO THE GSHP INDUSTRY?
The high installation costs of Ground-Source Heat Pump systems is the main obstacle to the development of the GSHP industry. Using the EZ-Snaps is the first and easiest step to reducing these costs and to pushing the GSHP industry forward.
WILL THE EZ-SNAPS GET STUCK WHILE LOWERING THE PIPES? WHAT IF OUR BOREHOLE SHRINKS WHILE DRILLING?
The EZ-Snaps "Ω" shape is designed to match the borehole diameter perfectly. Because of its flexibility, the EZ-Snaps will adapt to borehole shrinkage at depths. We have two models, one for the 5'5'' to 6'0'' boreholes and the other for 4'5'' to 5'0''.
DOES THE EZ-SNAPS ASSURE A PERFECT POSITION NEXT TO THE BOREHOLE WALL?
No pipe spacer can assure a pipe position that is 100% on the borehole wall. However, the EZ-Snaps come close enough that hundreds of geothermal projects relying on "farthest apart" pipe configuration have been successfully designed.
WHEN FACTORING THE COSTS OF THE EZ-SNAPS, DO THEY STILL PRODUCE SAVINGS?
Yes, while the EZ-Snaps reduce installation costs of a vertical GSHP system by 10-20%, their own cost only represent 1% of the total installation costs.
GEOTHERMAL PIPE SPACERS HAVE A REPUTATION OF BEING HARD TO INSTALL. WHAT MAKES THE OMEGA EZ-SNAPS DIFFERENT?
The EZ-Snaps were created specifically in response to these first pipe spacers. Seeing how ground loop installers struggled with their installation, we decided to find a better way. Installing the EZ-Snaps is easy, quick, and fun. As you can see in this video, it does not increase installation time at all!
DOES THE EZ-SNAPS ALLOW AN EASY INSERTION OF THE TREMIE PIPE?
Being able to re-insert the tremie pipe at any time is crucial to fix a fractured borehole. The "Ω" shape of the EZ-Snaps allows the insertion or re-insertion of the tremie pipe at anytime. This video will show you how easy it is.
TESTIMONIALS
Satisfied ground loop installers
The arrival of the EZ-SNAP was a real advent for us. When a project requires the use of spacers, the EZ-SNAP is by far the one we prefer to use.
Simon Massé, Puitbec Well Drilling Group, General Director
We switched from the GEOCLIP to the EZ-Snaps in 2010. The EZ-Snaps are so easy to use that we have been using them on almost all of our geothermal projects ever since.
Pierre-Yves Blais, FTE Well Drilling, President
The real advantage of the EZ-Snaps is that they allow the insertion of the tremie pipe at anytime. Plus, they install very quickly. Never had any problems with them!
Patrick Mailhot, Geomax Well Drilling, President
In rare cases, when drilling in chiste, an EZ-Snaps might temporarily block the descent of the tremie pipe. Other than those rare cases, there are no problems with the EZ-Snaps.
Regis Beaumont, Beaumont Well Drilling, President
I am very pleased to work with the EZ-Snap spacers, the EZ-Snap meets our expectations in terms of design and performance. They are easy to use and install very well, and we can lower the tremie pipe when grouting without difficulty.