Harnessing Geothermal Energy With Ground Source Heat Pumps

What is a ground source heat pump?

Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) are units that move heat from the earth to your home in the winter and heat from your home to the earth in summer via a refrigeration cycle. A few feet below the earth's surface, temperatures remain constant year round. That constant temperature provides heating, cooling and in some cases, heating of your domestic hot water.

How do ground source heat pumps work?

Well first there are two main components to a ground source heat pump. The first is the indoor unit, which consists of the compressor, pump(s) and/or fan. This is about the same size as a typical heating/cooling unit. The second part is the buried pipe. The buried pipe (loop) can be put in horizontally, vertically or in a private pond/lake. The kind of loop depends largely on the site it is going on. Your contractor will help you decide which is best. A water and anti-freeze solution is circulated through the buried loops. During the winter, the solution collects heat from the earth and carries it through the system and into the building. During the summer, the system reverses itself to cool the building by pulling heat from the building, carrying it through the system and placing it in the ground.
A ground source heat pump can be installed in any structure of any size, anywhere, whether it is single-family or a commercial building. GSHP's can be installed on almost any size lot: under lawns, landscaped areas, parking lots or driveways. It is not limited to new construction; retrofits are done as well.
The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have both endorsed ground source heat pump systems as among the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly heating, cooling, and water heating systems available.

Ground Source Heat Pumps offer great benefits:

• Can save you up to 70% on your annual heating, cooling and hot water heating
• Annual maintenance costs are reduced
• Incredible warranties! Pipe guaranteed for 50 years
• No outdoor unit to create noise or take up space
• No open flame or dangerous fuel storage tanks
• No tanks to have filled
• Lifespan is longer than a conventional system
• Less moving parts to fail
• Same physical size of a typical heating/cooling unit
• Increased home value
• Predictable energy costs
• Environmentally friendly system
• Rebates and incentives to install GSHP's from many utilities
• The EPA says it's the most efficient was to heat/cool your space