What is a Geothermal Heat Pump?
A geothermal heat pump is a type of heating and cooling system that uses the earth's natural heat to regulate the temperature of a building. It works by circulating water or refrigerant through a series of underground pipes, called a loop system, and exchanging heat with the surrounding earth. This process is highly efficient and can save homeowners a significant amount of money on their energy bills.
How Much Money Do Heat Pumps Save?
Home heating and cooling consume a lot of energy. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that more than half of all home energy use is spent on keeping your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Replacing an existing gas-powered heating unit with an electric-powered ground source heat pump electrifies this energy-hungry appliance while reducing overall demand.
Geothermal technology leverages the earth’s consistent temperature five feet below the surface, using a heat pump to circulate fluid that continuously transfers heat to the home in the winter and draws heat out of the home in the summer. These systems are substantially more efficient, saving homeowners up to 50 percent of their monthly heating and cooling costs.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that “geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective systems for heating and cooling buildings.”
At the same time, a geothermal system allows homeowners to radically reduce their emissions. Switching to geothermal can reduce your home greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75 percent, bringing homes closer to a net-zero emissions target.
How it Works
A geothermal heat pump works by utilizing the constant temperature of the earth below the surface to provide heating and cooling. Here's a brief overview of how it operates:
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Heat Exchange: Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) use the relatively constant temperature of the earth, which ranges from 45°F (7°C) to 75°F (21°C) depending on the location, as a heat source in winter and a heat sink in summer. 1 2
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Underground Heat Collector: The system includes an underground heat collector, which utilizes the earth as a heat source and sink. This allows the heat pump to remove heat from the building and deposit it underground. 2
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Heat Transfer: The GHP circulates an antifreeze solution through a closed loop or uses a direct exchange system to transfer heat between the refrigerant in the heat pump and the ground. 1.
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Heat Distribution: A heat distribution subsystem, such as conventional ductwork, is used to distribute the heated or cooled air inside the building. 2
In summary, a geothermal heat pump takes advantage of the stable underground temperatures to provide efficient heating and cooling for residential and commercial buildings, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional HVAC systems. 1 2
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