| The term geothermal literally means Earth/Ground | | | | means that geothermal heat pumps are generally |
| (Geo) Heat (thermal). Geothermal, or ground | | | | not suitable for standard hot water baseboard |
| source heat pumps, take advantage of the | | | | applications, which are designed for heating water |
| constant ground or groundwater temperatures. | | | | temperatures of 180 degF. Floor heat and |
| These heat pumps use geothermal energy to | | | | low-temperature radiators require water |
| heat and/or cool your home. | | | | temperatures in the range of 95 to 140 degF. |
| A refrigerant loop with a compressor extracts | | | | Some newer heat pump models are now |
| heat from one side (the ground) and pumps it to | | | | equipped with so-called desuperheaters that can |
| the heating loop in your home. It is essentially the | | | | transfer excess heat from the geothermal heat |
| same process that happens in your refrigerator: | | | | pump compressor to the domestic water heater. |
| heat is extracted via a compressor and | | | | Your geothermal heat pump can also effectively |
| refrigerant loop from the inside of your | | | | and quickly heat water for your bathtub, shower |
| refrigerator/freezer and rejected into your house. | | | | and sinks. |
| In the summer the geothermal heat pump | | | | Water-To-Air Geothermal Heat Pumps |
| reverses its cycle, if you have an air-conditioning | | | | These types of ground source heat pumps are |
| system, and heat from the home is rejected into | | | | generally used when you need air conditioning. The |
| the ground or ground water. | | | | Water is the heat sink, where you reject the |
| What makes geothermal heat pumps such a good | | | | heat from the house. The Air is the air that is |
| choice for residential heating and cooling is that | | | | distributed through your home via ductwork. |
| they do not depend on outside air temperatures. | | | | Otherwise, these heat pumps function the same |
| These heat pumps will heat your home as | | | | way as water-to-water heat pumps. And again, |
| efficiently on a windy, zero-degree winter day as | | | | the efficiency of a geothermal heating and cooling |
| on a 40-degree day. Provided of course, that | | | | system is far better than that of a traditional |
| your house is well insulated and tight. | | | | system. |
| Geothermal heat pumps are also a very efficient | | | | Important To Know |
| way for heating and cooling your home. They use | | | | The first step towards making a geothermal heat |
| 25-50% less energy than conventional heating and | | | | pump system be a reliable and efficient heating |
| cooling systems (Source: US DOE). | | | | (and cooling) system for your home is to minimize |
| Residential applications of geothermal energy | | | | the heating and cooling requirements with a |
| systems use water-to-water or water-to-air heat | | | | well-insulated building envelope and strategically |
| pumps. | | | | placed windows for passive solar gain. |
| Water-to-Water Geothermal Heat Pumps | | | | Not only is your first cost reduced, because your |
| Water-to-water geothermal heat pumps are | | | | system will be smaller. You will also tremendously |
| generally used for heating only. They replace the | | | | increase the comfort of your home. |
| gas or oil furnace that you might currently have | | | | Geothermal heat pump systems are best |
| to heat your home and water with. | | | | designed and installed by professionals. It is not |
| It is important to know that heat pumps work | | | | recommended to DIY. These systems must |
| most effectively when the temperature | | | | meet specific requirements. Especially the piping |
| difference between the heat source (ground) and | | | | laid out in the ground, or down to the ground |
| heat sink (floor heat or radiators) is small. | | | | water table, must be designed and installed |
| Ground temperatures range anywhere from 50 | | | | correctly to ensure that your geothermal heat |
| to 75 degF, depending on where you live. This | | | | pump system works as intended. |