Geothermal heat pumps are also called ground source heat pumps.
This conditioning system uses a geothermal source.
It can be ground, ground water, or surface water.
This type of conditioning system also utilizes a reversible refrigeration cycle for either heating or cooling.
It also uses a heat sink, which is a body of air or liquid in which heat can be transferred.
This conditioning system acts similarly as an air source heat pump: using both compressors to move refrigerant around a closed loop to transfer heat between an indoor and another coil where heat is absorbed or rejected.
Unlike the air source heat pump, geothermal heat pumps uses geothermal source as its heat source and sink.
Unlike ambient air that air source models uses, the temperature of the earth, from five to ten feet below the surface, is relatively constant.
This makes it a better heat source for a heat pump.
This source is also cooler than outdoor air in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Thus, this is more efficient than the air source variety conditioning system.
There are different types of this type of conditioning system.
You can find a hybrid system, which uses several different geothermal sources, or a combination of a geothermal resource with outdoor air.
A hybrid system is very useful if your cooling needs are significantly larger than heating needs.
Another option of this type of conditioning system is the standing column well.
With this type of system, a variation of an open loop system is used.
One or more deep vertical wells are drilled and water is drawn from the bottom of a standing column and returned to the top.
However, the disadvantage of geothermal heat pumps is that installation can be somewhat higher than that of conventional space conditioning equipment.
Costs can depend on a number of factors: geothermal resources to be used, and whether the project involves new construction or renovation of an existing facility.
For new commercial applications, installation of this type of device can be competitive with the cost of most conventional alternatives.
However, the good thing about this type of device is that though installation is high but their life cycle cost is usually lower than other alternatives, given their substantially lower energy and maintenance costs.
When you are buying geothermal heat pumps, make sure that you choose a model that qualifies for a label.
The device should have a specified COP and EER that meet the recommended levels.
It should also include a FEMP and efficiency thresholds.
You can also choose a model that has dual compressor systems and increased heat exchange area.
However, this type can be more expensive but it is also the most efficient.
In deciding to utilize a geothermal heat pump, you have to make sure that there is a proper assessment of your building's peak heating and cooling loads.
This is important because if your device is oversized, it can raise purchase cost as well as can lead to a decreased in energy efficiency, poorer humidity control, and shorter product life.
This is all because of an excessive on-off cycling.
This device is very efficient but to get the most of this device, make sure that you have a thorough analysis of what you need.
This conditioning system uses a geothermal source.
It can be ground, ground water, or surface water.
This type of conditioning system also utilizes a reversible refrigeration cycle for either heating or cooling.
It also uses a heat sink, which is a body of air or liquid in which heat can be transferred.
This conditioning system acts similarly as an air source heat pump: using both compressors to move refrigerant around a closed loop to transfer heat between an indoor and another coil where heat is absorbed or rejected.
Unlike the air source heat pump, geothermal heat pumps uses geothermal source as its heat source and sink.
Unlike ambient air that air source models uses, the temperature of the earth, from five to ten feet below the surface, is relatively constant.
This makes it a better heat source for a heat pump.
This source is also cooler than outdoor air in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Thus, this is more efficient than the air source variety conditioning system.
There are different types of this type of conditioning system.
You can find a hybrid system, which uses several different geothermal sources, or a combination of a geothermal resource with outdoor air.
A hybrid system is very useful if your cooling needs are significantly larger than heating needs.
Another option of this type of conditioning system is the standing column well.
With this type of system, a variation of an open loop system is used.
One or more deep vertical wells are drilled and water is drawn from the bottom of a standing column and returned to the top.
However, the disadvantage of geothermal heat pumps is that installation can be somewhat higher than that of conventional space conditioning equipment.
Costs can depend on a number of factors: geothermal resources to be used, and whether the project involves new construction or renovation of an existing facility.
For new commercial applications, installation of this type of device can be competitive with the cost of most conventional alternatives.
However, the good thing about this type of device is that though installation is high but their life cycle cost is usually lower than other alternatives, given their substantially lower energy and maintenance costs.
When you are buying geothermal heat pumps, make sure that you choose a model that qualifies for a label.
The device should have a specified COP and EER that meet the recommended levels.
It should also include a FEMP and efficiency thresholds.
You can also choose a model that has dual compressor systems and increased heat exchange area.
However, this type can be more expensive but it is also the most efficient.
In deciding to utilize a geothermal heat pump, you have to make sure that there is a proper assessment of your building's peak heating and cooling loads.
This is important because if your device is oversized, it can raise purchase cost as well as can lead to a decreased in energy efficiency, poorer humidity control, and shorter product life.
This is all because of an excessive on-off cycling.
This device is very efficient but to get the most of this device, make sure that you have a thorough analysis of what you need.
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