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What is a ground source heat pump?

Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) are electrically powered systems that tap the stored energy of the greatest solar collector in existence: the earth. These systems use the earth's relatively constant temperature to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for homes and commercial buildings.

How do ground source heat pumps work?

Ground source heat pumps can be categorized as having closed or open loops, and those loops can be installed in three ways: horizontally, vertically, or in a pond/lake. The type chosen depends on the available land areas and the soil and rock type at the installation site. These factors will help determine the most economical choice for installation of the ground loop.

For closed loop systems, water or antifreeze solution is circulated through plastic pipes buried beneath the earth's surface. During the winter, the fluid 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. This process creates free hot water in the summer and delivers substantial hot water savings in the winter.

Open loop systems operate on the same principle as closed loop systems and can be installed where an adequate supply of suitable water is available and open discharge is feasible. Benefits similar to the closed loop system are obtained.

Residential

A GSHP system can be installed in a residential structure of any size, anywhere, whether it is single-family or multi-family. GSHPs can be installed on almost any size lot: under lawns, landscaped areas, driveways, or the house itself. An existing house can be retrofitted with a GSHP using the ductwork that is already there. Your dealer/installer will be able to determine ductwork requirements and if any minor modifications are needed. Home builders and homeowners can both take advantage of the special financing that is offered in many locations on a GSHP either through the utility or manufacturer.

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. In a 1993 report, the EPA concluded that geothermal technologies represent a major opportunity for reducing national energy use and pollution, while delivering comfort, reliability and savings to homeowners.

Ground Source Heat Pumps offer great benefits:

• Can be a combination heating/cooling and hot water heating system

• Some can save you up to 50% on your water-heating bill by preheating tank water

• Made of mechanical components that are either buried in the ground or located inside the home

• About the same size as a traditional heating/cooling unit

• Pipe carries up to a 50-year warranty

• Can cut energy consumption by 20 to 50% and reduce maintenance costs

• Keep the air warmer in the winter (90 -105¡ F) and at a more consistent temperature throughout the home, eliminating the hot and cold spots common with other systems

• Very quiet, providing a pleasant environment inside & outside the home

• No noisy fan units to disturb outdoor activities

• No exposed equipment outdoors; children or pets cannot injure themselves or damage exterior units

• No open flame, flammable fuel or potentially dangerous fuel storage tanks

GSHPs offer great savings:

• One of the most efficient residential heating and cooling systems available today

• Heating efficiencies 50 to 70% higher than other heating systems and cooling efficiencies 20 to 40% higher than available air conditioners

• Save money in operating and maintenance costs

• Investments recouped in only a few years

• Positive cash flow; energy savings usually exceed the cost of the system

• Some utilities offer rebates or incentives to their customers who purchase GSHPs. To see what your state has to offer click here.

• Many heat pump manufacturers, local utilities, and lending institutions have special financing for homeowners who are installing GSHPs

GSHPs are environmentally friendly:

• Conserve natural resources by providing climate control efficiently and thus lowering emissions

• Minimize ozone layer destruction by using factory-sealed refrigeration systems, which will seldom or never have to be recharged

• Uses underground loops to transfer heat, with no external venting and no air pollution

Commercial

GSHPs are a cost effective, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly way of heating and cooling buildings. Both the DOE and the EPA have endorsed the technology. GSHPs reliably deliver quality air-conditioning and heating, on demand, in every season. GSHPs are appropriate for new construction as well as retrofits of older buildings. Their flexible design requirements make them a good choice for schools, high-rises, government buildings, apartments, and restaurants--almost any commercial property. Lower operating and maintenance costs, durability, and energy conservation make Ground Source Heat Pumps the smart choice for commercial applications.

Ground Source Heat Pumps offer great benefits:

• Simultaneously heat & cool different parts of the same building

• Very quiet--users do not know when the system is operating

• 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, eliminating vandalism and roof top units

• 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

GSHPs offer great savings:

• Very competitive on initial costs and lower lifecycle costs than most HVAC systems.

• Savings of 25-50% on energy consumption

• Lower peak demand, lowering your operating costs

• Water heated with waste heat from air conditioning at no cost in the summer and at substantial savings in the winter

• Some utilities offer rebates or incentives to their customers who purchase GSHPs. To see what your state has to offer click here.

GSHPs are environmentally friendly:

• Conserve natural resources by providing efficient climate control and thus lowering emissions

• Minimize ozone layer destruction by using sealed refrigeration systems, which seldom or never have to be recharged

• Use underground loops to transfer heat, with no external venting and no air pollution

• Very energy efficient, with the earth providing over 70% of the energy required to heat and cool