Orrion Farms Residence

GEOptimize Inc was engaged to review, optimize, and support the long-term operation of a hybrid ground-source heat pump (GSHP) system for an 18,900 ft² high-performance residence in Scottsdale, Arizona. The system combines a vertical borehole ground heat exchanger with dry fluid coolers to address the extreme cooling-dominant climate while maintaining lifecycle thermal balance. Using TRNSYS transient simulation with Ekotrope-derived 8760 load profiles and local hourly weather data, GEOptimize evaluated both the original engineer’s design and the contractor’s installation to quantify ground temperature response, seasonal heat rejection capacity, and overall system efficiency. The modelling strategy maximized winter and night-time heat dissipation to pre-charge the borefield for summer operation, eliminating evaporative water use and preventing long-term temperature drift. Continuous performance tracking was implemented through the Ensure Predictive Monitoring platform, which measures real-time flow, temperature, and energy transfer and streams data to a cloud-based dashboard for ongoing analysis and automated reporting.

The scope included comparative thermal performance analysis, GLD-based hydraulic assessment of fusion-welded headers and GHX circuit connections, and development of an optimized system configuration with revised piping, borefield integration, and predictive control sequencing. The monitoring and analytics platform applies G-function–based forecasting to predict future ground temperatures and generate a variable control signal to modulate the fluid cooler, enabling proactive thermal management and sustained heat pump efficiency over the life of the system. Deliverables included a single-line mechanical concept, operational sequences for borefield pre-cooling and load management, and long-term monitoring and control recommendations supported by detailed simulation results and coordination with the project team.