Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), also known as geothermal heat pumps, are highly efficient heating and cooling systems that utilise the stable temperature of the ground or groundwater as a heat source in the winter and a heat sink in the summer.
About Ground Source Heat Pump
Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), also known as geothermal heat pumps, are highly efficient heating and cooling systems that utilise the stable temperature of the ground or groundwater as a heat source in the winter and a heat sink in the summer.
Here are key aspects and features of ground source heat pumps:
Heat Exchange with the Ground
GSHPs take advantage of the relatively constant temperature below the Earth's surface.
In heating mode, the system extracts heat from the ground and transfers it to the building.
In cooling mode, the process is reversed, and excess heat from the building is transferred to the ground.
Components of a Ground Source Heat Pump:
Ground Loop: The loop system buried in the ground, typically made of pipes filled with a heat transfer fluid (water or antifreeze solution).
Heat Pump Unit: Located inside the building, the heat pump extracts or rejects heat to the ground loop.
Distribution System: Circulates heated or cooled air throughout the building.
Efficiency and Performance
GSHPs are known for their high efficiency and can achieve a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 3 to 6 or more.
The ground's stable temperature allows GSHPs to operate more efficiently than air source heat pumps, especially in extreme weather conditions.
Advantages
Year-Round Operation: GSHPs provide both heating and cooling throughout the year.
Energy Efficiency: They are more energy-efficient than traditional heating and cooling systems, leading to lower operating costs.
Environmental Impact: GSHPs produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional systems.
Long Lifespan: Ground source heat pumps have a relatively long lifespan, often exceeding 20 years.
Applications
GSHPs are suitable for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
They are commonly used in new constructions or retrofitted into existing buildings.
