Consider your site’s characteristics and heating and cooling requirements when choosing and installing geothermal heat pumps. Find a certified installer.
Geothermal Heat-Pumps: Heating and Cooling Efficiency
The coefficient of Performance (COP) indicates the heating efficiency of ground source and water-source heat-pump systems. It is the ratio between heat supplied in Btu to energy input. The Energy Efficiency Ratio, which measures the efficiency of cooling units, is measured in Btu/hour. It is calculated as the ratio between heat lost (in Btu/hour), and electricity required (in W) to operate them.
Look for the ENERGY STAR label. It indicates that the unit meets ENERGY STAR criteria. Manufacturers of geothermal heat pumps (GHPs), which are highly efficient, voluntarily use the EPA ENERGY STAR Label on qualifying equipment. Many GHPs include the U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency and EPA ENERGY STAR labels.
These cooling and heating units, which are located in the basement of a home that is being built now, are connected to an intricate array of underground coils. This allows for indoor temperature control.
Geothermal Heat Pumps – Economics
A residential GHP system can cost more to purchase and install than conventional cooling or heating systems. However, correctly sized GHPs consume more energy per unit when properly installed. GHPs can be equipped with a “desuperheater” to heat household water. The summer cooling period is when the heat from your house is used to heat your water. Winter heating costs are approximately half of what they are in summer.
Depending on your climate, soil conditions, system features, financing options, incentives, and other factors, your initial investment could be recouped within a few year through lower utility costs. GHP systems can produce positive cash flows from the beginning, especially if they are included in a loan. An “energy-efficient” mortgage could include the purchase a GHP system. This would pay for this and other energy saving improvements to the home. For more information, banks and mortgage companies can offer these loans.
Special financing and incentives are available to offset the costs of adding a GHP home. These provisions are available from state and local governments; power suppliers; banks and mortgage companies that offer energy efficient mortgage loans for home renovations. Before you make your final purchase, verify that the system you’re looking at qualifies for any available incentives.
Evaluate Your Site to Install a Geothermal Heat-Pump
In the United States, shallow ground temperatures are fairly constant so geothermal heating pumps (GHPs), which can be used almost anywhere in the country, can be very effective. The geological and hydrological characteristics of your land will help you determine the best type ground loop for your location.
Geology
In designing a ground loop, you need to take into consideration factors such as the composition and characteristics of your soil or rock. Soil with good heat transfer characteristics requires less heat transfer piping than soil that is poor. The soil availability also plays a role in system design. System suppliers in areas of extensive hard rock and soil that is too shallow to trench may opt to install vertical ground Loops, instead of horizontal loops.
Hydrology
It is also important to determine what ground loop type you want. The water quality, depth and volume of the surface water can all play a role in whether it is used as a source or repository for closed-loop piping. Groundwater can also be used for open-loop systems provided that it is of acceptable quality and meets all applicable ground water discharge regulations.
You should ensure that the supplier or installer of an open loop system has thoroughly investigated your site’s hydraulics before installing it. This will prevent potential problems like groundwater contamination, aquifer depletion, and groundwater contamination. The environmental hazards posed by antifreeze fluids that circulate through closed-loop systems are typically minimal to none.
Land Availability
Your system design will be affected by the size and layout of your property, your landscaping, and where underground utilities are located. For new buildings with enough land, the most economical option is to use horizontal ground loops. Because of their ability to minimize disturbance to the surrounding landscape, they are commonly used for existing buildings.
Geothermal heat pumps: Installation
It takes specialized knowledge and equipment to install piping properly. A GHP system is not something you can do yourself. Contact your local utility company, either the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (or the Geothermal exchange Organization) to get a list of qualified installs in your area. Installers must be licensed and experienced. Ask for references from previous owners and have them checked.
In a GHP system, the ground heat exchanger is either a closed or open-loop pipe system. The most common form of the closed loop is where high density polyethylene pipe is buried vertically at 100 to 400 ft deep. These pipes are insulated with an antifreeze/water solution which is environmentally friendly. It acts as a heat exchanging agent. The pipes carry heat into the building by absorbing heat from the ground. In the summer, heat is taken from the building by the system and deposited to the cooler ground.
Like conventional systems, the ductwork in your home distributes the heated/cooled air throughout your house. The box that houses the fan and the indoor coil is called the air handler. This is because it moves heat-pump air through the house. The air handler has a large blower with a filter that is identical to traditional air conditioners.
Your insurance provider should verify that your geothermal heating pump is covered. Even if your provider covers your system, it’s best to notify them in writing that you have a new system.
Geothermal Heat Pump Systems are a great option
GHPs consume 25% to 50% less electricity than traditional cooling and heating systems. GHPs can use three units of energy to transfer the same amount of heat from earth. According to the EPA, geothermal heating pumps can reduce energy usage and corresponding emission by as much as 44% compared to conventional air-source heat and 72% compared with standard electric resistance heating equipment. GHPs are also effective in controlling humidity. They maintain about 50% of the relative indoor humidity.
Geothermal heat pump systems offer flexibility in design, and can be used in retrofit or new construction. Furthermore, the hardware will take up less space per unit than traditional HVAC systems. This could help free up space for other purposes. GHP systems are also capable of providing excellent “zone” space conditioning. This allows for different parts of your home or buildings to be heated/cooled to different temperatures.
GHP systems have underground pipes that are covered by warranties of 25 to 50%. Heat pumps typically last 20 years. Accessibility to the components in the living spaces is a plus, as they are simple to replace and can be easily accessed.
GHPs are quieter than air conditioners and have no external condensing units. GHP systems of two speeds operate so quietly inside houses that most people don’t know they exist.