Ground Source Heat Pumps Will Save You Money On Your Energy Bills

By Author: David Karlson
Total Articles: 14
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What are ground source heat pumps? Many people have heard of heat pumps but not many realize that air conditioners and refrigerators are considered a form of heat pump as well.

Ground source heat pumps actually transfer heat from the ground directly into a house or building to provide space heating. These machines will also pre-heat hot water as well.

How do ground source heat pumps actually work? Buried under the ground are lengths of pipe. The pipe is buried in a trench or borehole. The pipe is filled with a mixture of antifreeze and water. This mixture is pumped around the pipe and absorbs heat from the ground. The heat pump itself consists of three main components.

The actual heat pump portion of ground source heat pumps features the same three main components of a standard heat pump. The evaporator takes heat from the water that is in the ground loop. The compressor component then compresses the gaseous refrigerant to the specific temperature that is needed for the actual heat distribution circuit.

The final component is the condenser. This part gives heat to the hot water tank, which then ...
... feeds the distribution system. If you look at the back of your refrigerator, the condenser is the hot part.

The final step of ground source heat pumps is the heat distribution system. This involves under floor heating or space heating. It could also involve storage for a hot water supply.

If you are considering the installation of a ground source heat pump there are several things you should consider before this major home improvement job. For one thing, do you have the room outdoors for the underground piping?

Is your ground area actually suitable for digging a trench? Can you afford the installation costs, which can run into the thousands of dollars?

Ground source heat pumps are used quite extensively in the rural United States. If operating effectively, they will produce up to three or four units of heat for every unit of electricity that they use. In addition, they can be reversed during the summer to provide cooling for a home. It is a very effective way to heat or cool a home. They use up to seventy-five percent less energy than traditional gas or oil heat.