Geo Thermal Heating and Cooling
M.
Samok Quality Home Maintenance LLC.
Accredited Installer
Member Id 25918-0409 Accreditation ID 20108-0409
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.
Who can benefit from a GSHP system
A GSHP system can be installed in a residential
or commercial structure of any size, anywhere, a
great choice for
single-family homes, schools, high-rises, government
buildings, apartments, and restaurants just about
any commercial property. GSHPs can be
installed on almost any size lot: under lawns,
landscaped areas, driveways, or the house itself. An
existing house or building can be retrofitted with a
GSHP using the ductwork that is already there. M.
Samok Quality Home Maintenance will be able to determine ductwork
requirements and if any modifications are needed.
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