Geothermal heat pumps are similar to ordinary heat pumps, but use the
ground instead of outside air to provide heating, air conditioning and, in
most cases, hot water. Geothermal heat pumps can be used to heat and/or
cool your home, commercial spaces, and even swimming pools & spas.
Because they use the earth's natural heat, they are among the most
efficient, and environmentally friendly heating and cooling technologies
currently available. Perhaps the most attractive thing about geothermal
systems is their energy cost savings. Since they are typically over 400%
efficient, geothermal heat systems show substantial cost savings over
other types of heating, and typically show a return on investment within
just a few years.
There are several misconceptions about geothermal heating, which need to
be dispelled. Many people think geothermal heating is only effective in
the southern states - that simply is not true. With a properly design
closed loop system we can build geothermal systems to heat and/or air
condition virtually any size home, business, or swimming pool in the
northern states - including Minnesota! In fact, geothermal provides even
larger energy cost saving for northern climate states because our heating
usage is higher. Imagine being able to cut your commercial space heating
bill from $30,000 per year to less than $5,000, or your home heating bill
from $2,000 per year to $600. View our geothermal case studies for real
world examples of geothermal cost savings.
How it works:
In the heating mode, the water circulating in the earth loop is colder
than the surrounding ground. This causes the water to absorb heat energy
from the earth. The water carries this energy to the
heat exchanger in the pump. In the heat exchanger, refrigerant absorbs the
heat energy from the water. The water now leaves the heat exchanger at a
colder temperature, and circulates through the earth loop to pick up more
energy. The refrigerant gas, which contains energy gained from the earth
loop, travels from the heat exchanger to the compressor. In the
compressor, the refrigerant temperature rises to 160 degress. From the
compressor, the superheated refrigerant travels to the heat exchanger.
Here, the heat pump's blower circulates air across the air coil,
increasing the temperature of the air, which is blown through ductwork to
heat the home. In the case of pool heating a water-to-water heat
exchanges passes the heat from the heat pump to the pool water
circulating past it. After refrigerant releases its heat energy to the
air, it then flows to the earth loop heat exchanger to start the cycle again.
In the cooling mode, the water circulating in the earth loop is warmer
than the surrounding ground. This causes the water to release energy, in
the form of heat, into the earth. The water, now cooler from traveling
through the ground now flows to the heat exchanger in the heat pump. In
the heat exchanger, hot refrigerant gas from the compressor releases its
heat into the water. This causes the water to increase temperature, which
it releases to the ground. The refrigerant, which has released its heat
energy and became a cold liquid, now travels to the heat exchanger. Here
the heat pump's blower circulates warm air across the cold air
coil. The air is then blown through ductwork to cool the home or business.
The refrigerant in the air coil picks up the heat energy from the air, and
travels to the compressor. When the refrigerant leaves the compressor, it
then flows to the earth loop heat exchanger to start the cycle again.
Geothermal heat pumps are similar to ordinary heat pumps, but use the
ground instead of outside air to provide heating, air conditioning and, in
most cases, hot water. Geothermal heat pumps can be used to heat and/or
cool your home, commercial spaces, and even swimming pools & spas.
Because they use the earth's natural heat, they are among the most
efficient, and environmentally friendly heating and cooling technologies
currently available. Perhaps the most attractive thing about geothermal
systems is their energy cost savings. Since they are typically over 400%
efficient, geothermal heat systems show substantial cost savings over
other types of heating, and typically show a return on investment within
just a few years.
In the heating mode, the water circulating in the earth loop is colder
than the surrounding ground. This causes the water to absorb heat energy
from the earth. The water carries this energy to the
heat exchanger in the pump. In the heat exchanger, refrigerant absorbs the
heat energy from the water. The water now leaves the heat exchanger at a
colder temperature, and circulates through the earth loop to pick up more
energy. The refrigerant gas, which contains energy gained from the earth
loop, travels from the heat exchanger to the compressor. In the
compressor, the refrigerant temperature rises to 160 degress. From the
compressor, the superheated refrigerant travels to the heat exchanger.
Here, the heat pump's blower circulates air across the air coil,
increasing the temperature of the air, which is blown through ductwork to
heat the home. In the case of pool heating a water-to-water heat
exchanges passes the heat from the heat pump to the pool water
circulating past it. After refrigerant releases its heat energy to the
air, it then flows to the earth loop heat exchanger to start the cycle again.
