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What is geothermal?
Geothermal is a term that refers to a traditional heat pump that uses the Earth's energy to more efficiently heat or cool the gas in the heat pumps compressor.
Why is it better?
A geothermal heat pump is more efficient than a traditional heat pump that relies on the temperature of the air to heat or cool the gas in the compressor. Better efficiency means it is more cost effective to operate.
How does it work?
A geothermal heat pump is coupled to the earth using what is called an earth link. The earth link provides a steady constant temperature that the heat pump uses to heat or cool the gas in the compressor. This constant exchange medium allows the heat pump to be built to a much higher efficiency. All geothermal heat pumps have an exchange coil where this process takes place. A fluid is circulated through this coil and acts as a conductor of either heat or cold depending on the season.
In the COOLING mode, the refrigerant, a hot gas, is pumped
from the compressor to the water-to-refrigerant heat
exchanger via the reversing valve. Water, generally with an
antifreeze, flowing through the water-to-refrigerant heat
exchanger removes heat and the hot gas condenses into a
liquid. This liquid then flows through a metering device to the
air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger coil. In evaporating into a gas,
the liquid absorbs heat and cools and dehumidifies the air that
passes over the coil surface. The cooling cycle is completed
when the refrigerant flows as a low pressure gas through the
reversing valve and back to the suction side of the compressor.
The fluid from the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger is
pumped to the ground loop heat exchanger where it
transfers the heat to the earth. The cooled fluid then flows
back to the unit.
During the HEATING mode, the refrigerant, a hot gas, is
pumped from the compressor to the air-to-refrigerant heat
exchanger coil via the reversing valve. In the air-to-refrigerant
heat exchanger coil, the heat is removed by the air that passes
over the coil surface, and the hot gas condenses into a liquid.
The air is circulated to the space and provides heating for the
house. The refrigerant liquid then flows through a metering
system to the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger. When
evaporating into a gas, the liquid absorbs heat and cools the
water. The heating cycle is completed when the refrigerant
flows as a low pressure gas through the reversing valve and
back to the suction side of the compressor.
In the winter the fluid in the ground loop extracts heat from the
ground, raising the fluid temperature and circulates back to the
heat pump into the house.
Are all geothermal systems the same?
All geothermal systems are not designed the same way. The design of your system is the most critical portion of the entire system. When a system is being designed there are many choices in relation to the cost of the system. The most important thing to consider is what portion of your homes heating and cooling load do you want geothermal to handle? On the Delmarva Peninsula we are heat dominant. That means that the amount of BTU's to heat your house is greater than the amount required to cool it. If you have a system designed based on the amount of cooling required there will be a deficit in the heating season. One solution is to close that deficit through the use of supplemental heat i.e. electric strip heat.
There are many homes in the country with geothermal carrying 100% of the cooling and heating load without the need for supplemental anything. The choice to be made is install price vs. cost of supplemental heat. When having a system designed for your project ask to see the price difference of the install vs. operating cost vs. system balance point. If your designer will not share this information or explain it to you, find another designer.
All geothermal heat pump units are the same but there are many types of earth links. Please feel free to explore the website task bar to learn about the many different types of earth links. No one-earth link is better than the other. They are all more efficient than a traditional heat pump, yet some earth links are more efficient than others. Please contact your installer to discuss which earth link is the most cost effective and efficient for your individual project.
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