One of the most common questions is “What is a geothermal heat pump and how does it work?” Geothermal heat pumps are similar to ordinary heat pumps, but use the ground instead of outside air to provide heating and air conditioning. A geothermal or ground-source heat pump is an electrically powered device that uses the natural heat storage ability of the earth and/or the earth’s ground water to heat and cool your home. Because they use the earth’s natural heat, they are among the most efficient and comfortable heating and cooling technologies currently available.
Like any type of heat pump, it simply moves heat energy from one place to another. Your refrigerator works using the same scientific principle. By using refrigeration, the geothermal heat pump removes heat energy stored in the earth and transfers it to your home. The earth has the ability to absorb and store heat energy. To use that stored energy, heat is extracted from the earth through a liquid medium and is pumped to the heat pump heat exchanger. There, the heat is used to heat your home. In the summer the process is reversed and indoor heat is extracted from your home and transferred to the earth through the liquid.
Ground source heat pumps rely on underground tubing to extract heat from either water or earth. A water ethanol mix circulates through tubing in vertical shafts and then passes through a heat pump. A heat pump can work as either a cooling or heating device, depending on which way refrigerant flows internally.
One very attractive thing about geothermal systems is that they use substantially less energy that conventional systems. And because it does not use any fossil fuels, a system like this is non-polluting with essentially no impact on either people or the environment. I hope this has helped you understand a little more about geothermal heat pumps and how they work.
Roger Smith
Project Construction Manager
