Heating&Air Conditioning | Bob Fox Services

Space heating and cooling is the largest energy expense in most homes, accounting for more than 44% of the average home's utility bill.

Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) have been supplying home and small business owners with heat, air conditioning, and hot water for buildings and pools for over two decades.

Known by a variety of names (i.e. earth-source heat pumps, GeoExchange systems, ground-coupled heat pumps, ground-source heat pumps, water-source heat pumps), GHPs are known for their low environmental impact, quiet operation, and energy efficiency.

Types of Geothermal Heat Pumps Available
and How They Work

The basic elements of a geothermal heat pump (GHP) system include a:

• Ground loop – system of fluid-filled plastic pipes buried in the shallow ground, or placed in a body of water, near the building

• Heat pump – removes heat from the fluid in the pipes, concentrates it, and transfers it to the building (for cooling, this process is reversed)

• Air delivery system – conventional ductwork used to distribute heated or cooled air throughout the building.

How GHPs Work

Geothermal heat pumps use electricity to heat and cool, just like a conventional heat pump. However, unlike a conventional heat pump, GHPs use the relatively constant temperature of the shallow Earth as a source of heat in the winter and as a repository for heat in the summer. In the winter, the fluid passing through the underground (or underwater) loops of piping is warmed by the Earth's heat. The collected heat is extracted and concentrated by the heat pump, and distributed through the building's ductwork. To cool the building in the summer, this process is reversed – the heat pump moves heat from the indoor air into the underground loops, where it is transferred to the relatively cooler ground. The heat removed from the indoor air during the summer can also be used to produce some of your hot water, or to heat swimming pools, instead of transferring it to the ground.

Types of GHP Systems

Geothermal heat pumps are generally classified as "closed-loop" or "open-loop" systems based on the type of ground loop that they use:

• Closed-loop systems. Closed-loop systems circulate a solution of water and antifreeze through a series of sealed loops of piping. The loops can be installed in the ground horizontally or vertically, or they can be placed in a body of water, such as a pond.

• Open-loop systems. Open-loop systems circulate water drawn from a ground or surface water source. Once the heat has been transferred into or out of the water, the water is returned to a well or surface discharge (instead of being re-circulated through the system).

Environmental Benefits with
Geothermal Heat Pump

Because geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are so efficient, they use less energy – often created by burning fossil fuels – to operate the system. According the to Environmental Protection Agency, GHPs can reduce energy consumption (and corresponding emissions) by up to 44% compared to air source heat pumps, and by up to 72% compared to electric resistance heating with standard air conditioning equipment. In addition, GHPs have no outside condensing units like conventional air conditioners, so GHPs help reduce noise pollution both inside and outside your home or business.

(Information from the Department of Energy.)


Home All About Us Our Company Credentials & Licenses Client Testimonials Guarantees Contact Us Commercial Services Services Ductless System Air Purification Residential Services Services Cost Calculator Air Conditioning Heating Ductless Systems Air Purification Humidifiers Thermostats Products Sanuvox Air Purification Ductless System Geothermal Heat Pumps Information Cost Calculator Energy Saving Tips Heating & AC Knowledge Importance of Clean Air Glossary Request Services Specials!	Geothermal Heat Pumps Space heating and cooling is the largest energy expense in most homes, accounting for more than 44% of the average home's utility bill. Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) have been supplying home and small business owners with heat, air conditioning, and hot water for buildings and pools for over two decades. Known by a variety of names (i.e. earth-source heat pumps, GeoExchange systems, ground-coupled heat pumps, ground-source heat pumps, water-source heat pumps), GHPs are known for their low environmental impact, quiet operation, and energy efficiency. Types of Geothermal Heat Pumps Available and How They Work The basic elements of a geothermal heat pump (GHP) system include a: • Ground loop – system of fluid-filled plastic pipes buried in the shallow ground, or placed in a body of water, near the building • Heat pump – removes heat from the fluid in the pipes, concentrates it, and transfers it to the building (for cooling, this process is reversed) • Air delivery system – conventional ductwork used to distribute heated or cooled air throughout the building. How GHPs Work Geothermal heat pumps use electricity to heat and cool, just like a conventional heat pump. However, unlike a conventional heat pump, GHPs use the relatively constant temperature of the shallow Earth as a source of heat in the winter and as a repository for heat in the summer. In the winter, the fluid passing through the underground (or underwater) loops of piping is warmed by the Earth's heat. The collected heat is extracted and concentrated by the heat pump, and distributed through the building's ductwork. To cool the building in the summer, this process is reversed – the heat pump moves heat from the indoor air into the underground loops, where it is transferred to the relatively cooler ground. The heat removed from the indoor air during the summer can also be used to produce some of your hot water, or to heat swimming pools, instead of transferring it to the ground. Types of GHP Systems Geothermal heat pumps are generally classified as "closed-loop" or "open-loop" systems based on the type of ground loop that they use: • *Closed-loop systems.* Closed-loop systems circulate a solution of water and antifreeze through a series of sealed loops of piping. The loops can be installed in the ground horizontally or vertically, or they can be placed in a body of water, such as a pond. • *Open-loop systems.* Open-loop systems circulate water drawn from a ground or surface water source. Once the heat has been transferred into or out of the water, the water is returned to a well or surface discharge (instead of being re-circulated through the system). Environmental Benefits with Geothermal Heat Pump Because geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are so efficient, they use less energy – often created by burning fossil fuels – to operate the system. According the to Environmental Protection Agency, GHPs can reduce energy consumption (and corresponding emissions) by up to 44% compared to air source heat pumps, and by up to 72% compared to electric resistance heating with standard air conditioning equipment. In addition, GHPs have no outside condensing units like conventional air conditioners, so GHPs help reduce noise pollution both inside and outside your home or business. (Information from the Department of Energy.)