IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY GEOTHERMAL or GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY

GEOTHERMAL or GROUND SOURCE HEAT

PUMPS

GEOTHERMAL or GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS


Geothermal heat pump collects the Earth's natural heat through pipes, called a loop, installed below the surface of the ground or submersed in a pond or lake.

Fluid circulates through the loop.Compressor and a heat exchanger

concentrate the Earth's energy and release.Ductwork distributes the heat to different

rooms.


All heat pumps have an outdoor unit (called a condenser) and an indoor unit (an evaporator coil).

A refrigerant carries the heat from one area to another.

Compressed-high temperature- high-pressure liquid.

Allowed to expand, it turns into a low temperature, low pressure gas.

The gas then absorbs heat.


Heat pump system extracts heat from outdoor air and circulates that air through your home's ductwork by a fan.

Geothermal heat pumps - similar to ordinary heat pumps

They rely on the stable, even heat of the earth to provide heating.

In summer the process is reversed for air conditioning.


Very efficient with a efficiency of 5 to 6.5 which can equate to

[Heat Load x Operating Hrs. x $ per unit] / [3,400 x efficiency ] = cost

Therefore approximately 70 percent of the energy used in a geothermal heat pump system is renewable energy ie the ground.

Mother nature’s constant temperature is what makes geothermal heat pumps efficient.

Mother Nature


Mother Nature


Types of Loops: Geothermal heat pump Not do-it-yourself projects. International Ground Source Heat Pump

Association (IGSHPA). Designing the length of the loop depends

upon a number of factors:Loop configuration based on

heating and air conditioning load; local soil conditions and landscaping; and the severity of your climate.


Horizontal Ground Closed Loops Most cost effective if excavation is easy and

adequate space requirements 3’ to 6’ cover Lay a series of parallel plastic pipes. 400’ to 600’ feet for each ton of heating and

cooling . Fluid runs through the pipe in a closed system.




Vertical Ground Closed Loops Used where there is not adequate space Vertical holes 150’ to 450’ deep ie wells Single loop of pipe with a U-bend at the bottom is

inserted before the hole is backfilled. Pipe is connected to a horizontal underground

pipe to and from the indoor exchange unit.


Pond Closed Loops Most economical when near a body of water

shallow pond, lake or stream. Fluid circulates underwater through polyethylene

piping in a closed system, Pipes can be coiled in a slinky shape to fit more of

it into a given amount of space. In a few places, developers have installed large

community loops.


Ground Source Heat Pumps offer great benefits: Simultaneously heat & cool different parts of the same building Very quiet Can be set up in multiple zones, with each zone having an

individual room control Greater freedoms in building design due to 50-80% less

mechanical room space No outside equipment to hide Pipes have 50-year life expectancy All electric, which eliminates multiple utility services Expel boiler and chiller maintenance Ground heat exchanger is maintenance free and will last 40+

years

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IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY GEOTHERMAL or GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS