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Tips of geothermal or ground source heat pump
2011-11-6(1) Why geothermal heat pump.The simple fact is the ground beneath our feet stays at a constant temperature all year round,typically much warmer than the outside air in winter and significantly cooler in summer.Geothermal systems use this phenomenon to heat your home when it's cold and cool it down when it's hot.
Geothermal heat pumps are very similar to normal electric heat pumps,but instead of heating and cooling the outside air they use heat from underground,which is transferred through pipes called ground loops.The constant underground temperature is very close to what feels comfortable for most people,which means geothermal systems are among the most efficient and cost effective climate technologies available.The key feature of a geothermal heat pump is a thing called a heat exchanger,which consists of ground loops buried deep underground.
(2) Construction and principle.Fluid circulates through the loops in a closed system, carrying heat from the ground to your house, where a compressor concentrates the heat before releasing it inside your home at a higher temperature.Ducts distribute warm air to different rooms,just like a normal heat pump.In summer,the process is reversed.The ground loop takes excess heat from your house and allows it to be absorbed by the earth,which is relatively cooler.Because the temperature underground is naturally very close to the ideal temperature for home,geothermal heat pumps don't have to work very hard to heat your home or cool it down.As a result they're much more efficient than conventional heat pumps,performing at levels ranging from 450% to 600% efficiency,compared to around 300% for standard systems.Geothermal systems are mechanically simple,with the external parts well below ground and protected from the weather,which means maintenance costs are minimal.They have no outside condensing units like conventional heat pumps and operate much more quietly.And because they rely on naturally occurring energy, their environmental impact is low.
(3) Installation.Design of any geothermal system calls for professional expertise, and consultants will take into account your home's heating and air conditioning load, local soil conditions and landscaping.
