Geothermal Heating / Geothermal Heat Pumps

Allie Paccadolmi

How They Work“Split System” – outdoor unit (condenser)

and indoor unit (evaporator coil)Compressor changes gaseous

refrigerant to high pressure gasRefrigerant cools and changes into a high

temp gasLiquid refrigerant expands and turns into

gas – gas then absorbs heat from circulating air

AdvantagesTwice as efficient as the top-rated air

conditionersEnergy costs are 30-70% lowerReduces greenhouse gas emissions

equivalent to planting 750 trees

DisadvantagesInitial cost is high two to three times higher

than a conventional heating/cooling systemOpen-loop systems – bring in water from

outside, can lead to clogging, mineral deposits, or corrosion of pipes

Impact on the Environment?Reduces greenhouse gas emissions

5.9 million CO2 emissions cut 1.6 million C emissions cut

Compared to other Energy SourcesLasts longer – abt 50 years longerNo gas lines – no potential for leakage or fire

RestrictionsOpen-loop systems: need a large supply of

clean water to be most efficientLimits use in coastal, lake, and river areas

FactsTakes only 1 kW/hr for a geothermal heat

pump to produce nearly 12,000 Btu of cooling or heating. (To produce the same number of Btus, a standard heat pump consumes 2.2 kilowatt-hours.)

50% more efficient than the best gas furnaces

70% of energy used in a geothermal heat pump system is renewable energy from the ground

Websiteshttp://climatelab.org/Geothermal_Heat_Pump

s http://www.residential.carrier.com/products/g

eothermalheatpumps/index.shtml

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/heating_cooling/geothermal.html

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,20162296,00.html