Posted ByFrankThe terms of geothermal heat pump are as varied as the many uses to which this renewable energy source can be put. There’s the power plant, the heating system, and the cooling system, but we’re going to focus on the last two, the ones that make up the majority of residential installations. The first is a device that heats the air in your home, while the second is a fan that cools it down.
Systems that use the ground, groundwater, or surface water as a heat source or sink are referred to as geothermal heat pumps, also known as ground source heat pumps or geo-exchange. These systems are referred to as ground-coupled heat pumps, groundwater heat pumps, and surface water heat pumps, respectively, depending on their configuration.
A maaküte (geothermal heating) pump works by using hot water or steam from deep within the ground to heat and/or cool buildings. It does so by running a closed loop between the house and the well where the thermal energy originates. There are several types of systems, but they all do something similar with slightly different methods.
One type of system, called an open loop system, takes advantage of the temperature difference between the ground and the air above it. This method requires the installation of a pipe network that runs through the house and connects directly to the well. A more common system, however, is a closed loop system. This requires the installation of a closed loop, which acts like a pipeline that runs from the well to the surface of the earth near or under the house. At the surface, the closed loop connects to a heat exchanger, which extracts the heat out of the ground and transfers it to a fluid (e.g., water). This is then pumped back underground via another tube.
Once the heat is transferred into the closed loop, it becomes available for use. Depending on whether you want to heat or cool your house, the flow will either go from left to right or vice versa. In both cases, the heat is then distributed throughout your house by way of ductwork, usually in the form of an insulated metal pipe. These pipes run throughout your home and connect to various components including the evaporator coil, the condenser coil, and the expansion tank. They also distribute the heat by way of fins inside each unit, allowing it to radiate away and be absorbed by anything below.
Depending on the size of your home, the efficiency of your geothermal heat pump may range anywhere from 70-90 percent. And if you live in a colder climate, you might even see a higher number. To maximize this percentage, it’s important to select a geothermal system that can provide as much heat as possible per square foot. That means finding a contractor who has extensive experience installing these devices.
As for the price? Well, that depends on what kind of system you need. The cost of a typical closed loop system ranges from $6,000-$20,000, depending on the area and type of construction. Open loop systems start at about $10,000 and can easily reach over $25,000. Again, though, this cost varies based on your location. So when searching for a contractor, you should always ask how much a job costs before deciding whether or not to hire them.
Of course, there are other factors to consider besides cost. For example, you should be sure to check with local building codes to ensure that the design meets safety standards and that the materials used in its construction meet applicable requirements. And while it’s true that geothermal heat pump technology is relatively new compared to other forms of home heating and cooling, it is still being improved upon constantly. Just because your neighbor installed one doesn’t mean you have to install one too!
Now if only I could figure out why my house is getting so damn cold…
You probably know that using a geothermal heat pump isn’t just about saving money. It’s also good for the environment. Because it uses hot water or steam instead of electricity to generate heat, it produces less greenhouse gas emissions than most forms of home heating. Plus, unlike oil, natural gas, or propane, geothermal energy is renewable — meaning it comes from resources that aren’t depleting and won’t become obsolete anytime soon.
So, if you’re interested in making your home greener, consider installing a geothermal heat pump. It’s a great alternative to traditional heating methods that don’t create as little impact on our planet.
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