What is a ground source heat pump?
Ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems, also referred to as geothermal, use the constant temperature of the earth to transfer heat to and from your home.
In the heating mode, GSHP systems transfer heat using a loop system installed in the ground. Heat energy is carried into the home through piping connected to and powered by a heat exchange unit inside the home.
In the summer this process is reversed to transfer heat from the home into the ground. A GSHP may also be used for water heating at no or very little additional cost.
A ground source heat pump uses 25–50 percent less electricity than conventional heating or cooling systems. It allows for design flexibility and can be installed in both new and retrofit situations. They provide excellent “zone” space conditioning, allowing different parts of your home to be heated or cooled to different temperatures and they are durable and highly reliable.
There are four basic types of ground loop systems. Three of these, horizontal, vertical, and pond/lake are closed-loop systems. The fourth type is an open-loop. Your best option depends on climate, soil conditions, available land and local installation costs at your site.
INTERNATIONAL GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP ASSOCIATION
From our blog