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The Benefits of Geothermal Heat Pumps

The Benefits of Geothermal Heat Pumps

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have both endorsed geothermal heat pump systems as among the most energy efficient, environmentally clean, and cost effective systems for temperature control. Homeowners can expect to enjoy a comfortable, reliable, and economical system while also reducing energy use and pollution.

Ground source heat pumps provide heating, air conditioning, and, if so equipped, supply the house with hot water. They are smaller than a traditional heating/cooling unit and can easily be retrofitted into any home. The mechanical components are safely located underground or within the home – which eliminates fears of vandalism or theft. With extreme durability the parts can last a generation and require very little maintenance. These systems do not have fans, so instead of hearing and feeling blasts of air, you will enjoy a quiet, consistent temperature throughout the day. Geothermal heat pumps can even improve your health and reduce allergies because they excel at humidity control, thus there is a reduced chance for mold and mildew growth.

In addition to being practical and providing a luxurious atmosphere, geothermal heat pumps are exceptionally good for the environment and extremely safe. These systems do not have on-site emissions or flammable materials. By eliminating any combustion you do not have to worry about fumes, odors, or carbon monoxide in your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if just 100,000 homes converted to a geothermal heating and cooling system, carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by 880 million pounds. Currently, atmospheric CO2 is 30% higher than it was 200 years ago and if not reduced can cause serious detrimental global impacts. Geothermal technology offers a wonderful solution to lowering these greenhouse gases.

There has never been a better time to invest in a geothermal heat pump system. Contrary to popular belief, geothermal units are surprisingly affordable and save you more and more money over time. While investing in a geothermal unit is initially more expensive than a traditional system, the annual savings on energy bills more than compensates for the initial output and you can usually expect full payback in three to five years. With efficiency ratings at least three times higher than other heating and cooling systems it is estimated that you can save between 30 to 70% on heating and cooling costs. Also, recent Congressional legislation has provided a 30% tax credit for the installed cost of a residential heat pump system, no cap.

When you consider the durability, comfort, cleanliness, and energy savings it is obvious why the government has endorsed them as the best systems for temperature control!

Johnny@GreenAirExpert.com

http://www.geothermalexperts.net

http://www.goeggsystems.com

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Benefits of Geothermal Heat Pumps

Design Features

Reduced Vandalism

The mechanical components are safely located underground or within the home – which eliminates fears of vandalism or theft.

Durability

The underground loops carry warranties of 25 to 50 years. The pumps, which are safely located within the home, often last 20 years or more.

Maintenance

According to a study conducted for the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium (GHPC), the maintenance costs are about one-third the cost of conventional systems. In fact, the only work necessary involves occasional cleaning of the heat exchanger and regular changing of the air filters.

Unsurpassed Comfort

These systems do not have fans, so instead of hearing and feeling blasts of air, you will enjoy a quiet, consistent temperature throughout the day.

Improved Humidity Control

Geothermal heat pumps provide better humidity control than a tradition system, thus there is a reduced chance for mold and mildew growth. These systems are ideal for individuals will allergy problems or lung problems.

Eliminate Emissions

These systems do not have on-site emissions or flammable materials. By eliminating any combustion you do not have to worry about fumes, odors, or carbon monoxide in your home.

Low Environmental Impact

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if just 100,000 homes converted to a geothermal heating and cooling system, carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by 880 million pounds. Currently, atmospheric CO2 is 30% higher than it was 200 years ago and if not reduced can cause serious detrimental global impacts. Geothermal technology offers a wonderful solution to lowering these greenhouse gases.

Energy Savings

While investing in a geothermal unit is initially more expensive than a traditional system, the annual savings on energy bills more than compensates for the initial output and you can usually expect full payback in three to five years.

Excellent Efficiency

With efficiency ratings at least three times higher than other heating and cooling systems it is estimated that you can save between 30 to 70% on heating and cooling costs.

Customer Satisfaction

In a customer survey based on heating systems, geothermal heat pump users report higher customer satisfaction than any other customers surveyed.

Tax Credits

Also, recent Congressional legislation has provided a 30% tax credit for the installed cost of a residential heat pump system, no cap.

There has never been a better time to invest in a geothermal heat pump system. When you consider the durability, comfort, cleanliness, and energy savings it is obvious why the government has endorsed them as the best systems for temperature control!

Tagged with: benefits • Geothermal • heat • Pumps

Geothermal Heat Pumps: A Viable Option for Your Home

In today’s housing market, there are a number of options for how you heat and cool your home. Geothermal heat pumps, although relatively unknown to the common market, could be a great option for you. In fact, the Santa Cruz, California real estate market provides some great examples of places where geothermal energy can shine.

Heat pumps work by moving a refrigerant material from the outdoor unit, a condenser, and an inside unit, an evaporator coil and back again, collecting and releasing heat as needed. Most heat pumps pull and circulate heat from the outside air to the inside air, which is subject to seasonal changes; not so with geothermal heat pumps.

Instead of using heat found in the outside air, geothermal heat pumps rely on the stable, even heat of the earth to provide the heating, air conditioning, and even hot water. While the air temperature around your home can fluctuate with the season, a few feet below the surface of the ground is another story. The ground remains a relatively constant temperature, varying slightly by latitude. For example, the ground beneath a Santa Cruz California home would average about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. By six feet underground, the temperature is usually constant, somewhere between 45 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, depending just where one is located.

Geothermal heat pumps move heat from the earth into your house during the winter, and in the summer they pull heat from the inside and discharge it into the ground. This method not only helps keep your home at a comfortable temperature, it also makes wonderful use of the earth’s renewable energy. In fact, studies show that approximately 70% of the energy used in a geothermal heat pump system is renewable. The constant temperature of the earth help to make these heat pumps one of the most efficient, and quiet heating and cooling technologies on the market today.

The installation of a geothermal heat pump for an average home is approximately $19,000 to $32,000 dollars when you factor in drilling costs, and other installation expenses. While this is a high initial price, these specific heat pumps can produce significantly lower utility bills, usually between 30% and 40%, according to estimates from the U.S. EPA.

In addition to the overall energy savings that a geothermal heat pump provides, there are a number of other encouraging factors to consider. They are extremely durable and require very little maintenance. There are fewer mechanical components, most of which are underground, so they are sheltered from inclement weather. The underground piping is usually guaranteed to last between 25 and 50 years, and is virtually worry free. The components inside the house are small, and easily accessible for maintenance. In addition, since there is no outside condensing unit like an air conditioner; geothermal heat pumps are much quieter to operate.

Geothermal heat pump systems also allow for a lot of flexibility, and can be installed in both new and retrofit situations. The hardware requires less space than conventional HVAC system, and the equipment rooms can thusly be smaller in size. These heat pumps can also provide wonderful zone space conditioning, allowing you to determine which sections of your home need to be at a specific temperature range.

Since the shallow ground temperatures are relatively constant throughout much of the United States, a geothermal heat pump can be used effectively in just about any home. However, knowing the specific geological, hydrological and spatial characteristics of your property will help you and your contractor design a system that is perfect for you.

Things such as the composition and properties of the soil and bedrock will often dictate the rate of heat transfer, and therefore will be an important consideration when designing a geothermal heat pump system. Soil and rocks with good heat transfer, such as clays will mean that you can use less piping. The amount of soil also contributes to the system design. If the soil is too shallow to trench, a vertical system may be more efficient then a horizontal loop system.

Just like the soil and bedrock, the hydrology of the property also is an important factor in the design of a geothermal heat pump system. The water depth, volume, and water quality, can all play a part. Groundwater or surface water can be used as a source for both open and closed loop systems. If you make use of an open loop geothermal heat pump, you want to make sure you investigate your area’s hydrogeology extensively. Doing so will help you avoid potential problems such as aquifer depletion and groundwater contamination. For additional information on what is considered good conditions for a geothermal heat pump, check out Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration website, eia.doe.gov.

Of course, the amount of land, landscaping and the location of underground utilities will also contribute to your design. Horizontal ground loops, often seen as the most economical, are usually used for new construction with a great deal of available land. Vertical loop system designs are great for situations where there is an existing building, or where the landscaping shouldn’t be disturbed.

If you’re considering installing a geothermal heat pump in your home, remember that this can’t be a do it yourself project. The technical knowledge, equipment and safety issues associated with the installation of such a system require a great deal of training, and it’s best to let a professional handle the job. Once you have it installed though, I know that you will see the savings in not only the bank, but also the environment.

Tagged with: Geothermal • heat • Home • Option • Pumps • Viable

Ground Source Heat Pumps (geothermal) – Heat and Cool Your Home Without Gas or Oil

Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), often called geothermal heat pumps, tap into the heat naturally generated many meters below the surface of the earth. Just a little ways down, the earth’s temperature is warm and relatively stable, so these systems can bring controllable and effective heating, cooling, and hot water to residential and commercial buildings. Best of all, they allow people to do all this without having to use expensive and carbon-producing fossil fuels such as oil and gas.

There are two types of ground source heat pump systems: those with closed loops and those with open loops. In closed loop systems, liquid (usually with some sort of antifreezing/antiboiling agent mixed in) circulates through pipes buried beneath the earth’s surface. During the winter, when the goal is warming a house, the fluid absorbs heat from the earth and carries back to the building. This very hot liquid can be effectively used to heat a home, and also quite obviously becomes a free-flowing source of useable hot water. During the summer, the system is designed to actually draw heat out of the building, and either use it to heat water for household use or deliver it back into the ground. Open looped systems are similar, except that the water supply within the pipes is continually refreshed.

The bulk of geothermal (GSHP) systems are the pipes that are buried far underground, so what is needed in your home is a unit likely no bigger than your current hot water heater and furnace. If you currently use oil, you may be able to get rid of or at least substantially downsize the size of your oil tank. Many people worry about the longevity and upkeep costs of this type of system because the bulk of the cost goes into burying the pipe underground. Recently however many companies have been offering 40-75 year warranties on the parts of the system that is buried.

If you already have a forced air oil or gas-fed furnace system it may be easy for you to convert to what is called a “dual system”. In this case you would choose which heating and cooling system would be primary at any particular time – most likely the geothermal system – and the other system will only work when needed, such as during an extremely cold spell in the winter.

GSHPs are quiet and safe. There are no exposed parts, fans, storage tanks, etc. that can hurt kids or pets. Nothing is burned so there is no flame. The heating source is the earth so there is nothing to wear out. They are also quiet because the earth is doing the work of the motors in your current furnace.

The initial cost for ground source heat pumps is greater than that of a conventional oil or gas system. However, that initial cost is often made up in three to six years depending on the cost of fuel and the temperature in your area. The greatest benefit of these systems is that you no longer have to use oil or gas at all, so not only are you not subject to the price fluctuations and uncertainty of these fuels, but you also reduce your own “carbon footprint” in the process.

Ground source systems are easy to install, particularly when they are replacing another forced-air system. In this case it is as simple as a retrofit after the pipes are placed. However, they can also be installed to completely replace the system you already have. If you don’t already have central air conditioning, that can be an automatic and immediate benefit of these systems. Contact an experienced installer and he or she can tell you exactly what would be involved in installing a geothermal heat pump in your home.

Tagged with: cool • Geothermal • Ground • heat • Home • Pumps • Source • Without

Geothermal Heating Versus Air Source Heating Pumps – Investment and Operational Costs

Use the natural heat storage capacity of the earth or ground water to provide energy efficient heating and cooling

Geothermal heating and cooling equipment is readily available in the marketplace and can be installed by any qualified contractor. The process is two-fold in that it involves installing the indoor unit and method of delivery, whether forced hot air or hydronic, and the outside pipe loop. Loop installation can be planned concurrently with other construction activities, so the overall construction schedule should not be affected by choice of system. Some loops will require an additional permit. Geothermal equipment can be installed with equal ease in both new construction and remodeling projects.

The initial cost of a geothermal heat pump system varies greatly according to local labor rates, lot geology and size, type of system installed, and equipment selected. So, geothermal heat pump systems are more costly to install than air source heat pumps. For either system, the cost of installed ducts should be identical. Equipment costs can be 50-100% more expensive for a geothermal heat pump system when the circulating pump, indoor tubing, and water source heat pump are considered. This 50-100% premium translates to $1,000 – $2,000 for the equipment that supplies a 3-ton system.

The ground loop is generally the most expensive component of a geothermal heat pump system and is highly dependent on local labor rates and drilling conditions. An installed ground loop stubbed out in a home can cost between $1,000 and $3,000 per installed ton. Overall, one could expect to pay between $4,000 and $11,000 more for a 3-ton GHP system than for an air source heat pump system.

Geothermal heat pumps offer high efficiency and low operating cost. According to the EPA, geothermal heat pumps can save homeowners 30 to 70 percent on heating and 20 to 50 percent on cooling costs over conventional systems. This information, as well as, reports that have been made by builders who monitor their in-place systems indicate that heating and cooling savings can range between $358 and $1,475, annually.

Geothermal heat pumps provide a high level of occupant comfort. There is a potential for utility bill savings, and many local utility companies provide incentives for investing in geothermal heat pumps.

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Are Geothermal Heat Pumps Viable?

Geothermal Heat pumps are somewhat new to many house holders in this country. A Geothermal Heat Pump makes use of the Earth’s stored heat to provide your home heating needs. Unlike the familiar Air Source “Air to Air” heat pump the Geothermal Heat Pump is a Water Source “Water to Air” or “Water to Water” device.

What are the benefits for you?

If you are looking for the following benefits you are looking at the right system.

Lower Operating costs –

A geothermal system reduces your energy bills by as much as 30 to 50% in comparison to that for conventional heating and cooling systems.

Environmentally Friendly –

A geothermal system uses renewable and Green House Gas free ground source Heat.

Lower Maintenance costs –

All equipment and material used are either indoors or buried and therefore protected .

Long Life Span –

The general life span is about 30 years or more. The ground loops are guaranteed for at least 50 years in most cases.

Single System for Cooling and Heating –

The source of energy for both Cooling and Heating is the same. (ie.one system)

Better Indoor Comforts –

The Geothermal system does away with the uncomfortable air drafts commonly associated with traditional “Forced Air” Installations.

Provides flexibility in design –

Geothermal Systems provide you better flexibility in designs whether it’s a new or retrofit project. The system provides economical avenues for subdividing or expanding it to suit the building retrofits or extensions.

High Efficiency –

The highly efficient Heat Pumps provide over 3 times the energy that is spent to operate the geothermal system.

Low Safety Risk –

There is absolutely no risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning or Fuel gas leaks. No fire risk either.

The Disadvantages

The major disadvantage is the relatively high cost of the equipment and material. The erection costs are too equally high if the ground heat source is not available at surface level. As a major portion of the plumbing system runs underground and therefore unintentional damages are possible over the years which may not be readily observable. The ground source water may contain high sulfur and other chemical content which may require preliminary treatment.

The ground area required too is higher than some of the other systems.

Residential Application

A residential Geothermal Heat pump system is about 300% efficient as mentioned above. In comparison a conventional high efficiency natural gas operated furnace or boiler has an efficiency of 92% or so. The operational savings of the Geothermal System is about 30% of a conventional Natural Gas Heating system and about 50 % of that cost of an electrical resistance heating system.

The installation cost for a typical small house is about the same as for any conventional system when the ground loop cost is omitted. This however will depend on the type of loop selected. It is well worth to consider a Geothermal Heat Pump for your buildings next retrofit and extension.

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Heating And Cooling With Geothermal Heat Pumps

The term geothermal literally means Earth/Ground (Geo) Heat (thermal). Geothermal, or ground source heat pumps, take advantage of the constant ground or groundwater temperatures. These heat pumps use geothermal energy to heat and/or cool your home.

A refrigerant loop with a compressor extracts heat from one side (the ground) and pumps it to the heating loop in your home. It is essentially the same process that happens in your refrigerator: heat is extracted via a compressor and refrigerant loop from the inside of your refrigerator/freezer and rejected into your house.

In the summer the geothermal heat pump reverses its cycle, if you have an air-conditioning system, and heat from the home is rejected into the ground or ground water.

What makes geothermal heat pumps such a good choice for residential heating and cooling is that they do not depend on outside air temperatures. These heat pumps will heat your home as efficiently on a windy, zero-degree winter day as on a 40-degree day. Provided of course, that your house is well insulated and tight.

Geothermal heat pumps are also a very efficient way for heating and cooling your home. They use 25-50% less energy than conventional heating and cooling systems (Source: US DOE).

Residential applications of geothermal energy systems use water-to-water or water-to-air heat pumps.

Water-to-Water Geothermal Heat Pumps

Water-to-water geothermal heat pumps are generally used for heating only. They replace the gas or oil furnace that you might currently have to heat your home and water with.

It is important to know that heat pumps work most effectively when the temperature difference between the heat source (ground) and heat sink (floor heat or radiators) is small.

Ground temperatures range anywhere from 50 to 75 degF, depending on where you live. This means that geothermal heat pumps are generally not suitable for standard hot water baseboard applications, which are designed for heating water temperatures of 180 degF. Floor heat and low-temperature radiators require water temperatures in the range of 95 to 140 degF.

Some newer heat pump models are now equipped with so-called desuperheaters that can transfer excess heat from the geothermal heat pump compressor to the domestic water heater. Your geothermal heat pump can also effectively and quickly heat water for your bathtub, shower and sinks.

Water-To-Air Geothermal Heat Pumps

These types of ground source heat pumps are generally used when you need air conditioning. The Water is the heat sink, where you reject the heat from the house. The Air is the air that is distributed through your home via ductwork.

Otherwise, these heat pumps function the same way as water-to-water heat pumps. And again, the efficiency of a geothermal heating and cooling system is far better than that of a traditional system.

Important To Know

The first step towards making a geothermal heat pump system be a reliable and efficient heating (and cooling) system for your home is to minimize the heating and cooling requirements with a well-insulated building envelope and strategically placed windows for passive solar gain.

Not only is your first cost reduced, because your system will be smaller. You will also tremendously increase the comfort of your home.

Geothermal heat pump systems are best designed and installed by professionals. It is not recommended to DIY. These systems must meet specific requirements. Especially the piping laid out in the ground, or down to the ground water table, must be designed and installed correctly to ensure that your geothermal heat pump system works as intended.

Tagged with: Cooling • Geothermal • heat • Heating • Pumps

Geothermal Heat Pumps: A Guide for Planning and Installing

Product Description
* Introduces basic theory and reviews a wide variety of available heat pump models
* Will put any installer, engineer or architect in the position to design, select and install a domestic geothermal heat pump system

Geothermal Heat Pumps is the most comprehensive guide to the selection, design and installation of geothermal heat pumps available. This leading manual presents the most recent information and market developments in order to put any installer, engineer or architect in the position to design, select and install a domestic geothermal heat pump system. Internationally respected expert Karl Ochsner presents the reasons to use heat pumps, introduces basic theory and reviews the wide variety of available heat pump models. Expertly reviewed and adapted for the most geographically broad application possible, the book offers the reader valuable tips for planning and system control using data, graphics and tables from a growing and innovative market.

BUY: Geothermal Heat Pumps: A Guide for Planning and Installing

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Tagged with: Geothermal • Guide. • heat • Installing • Planning • Pumps

Solar Powered Pumps – Using Sunlight To Power Your Garden Pond Or Fountain

It should first be noted that “solar powered pump” is actually a description of a two phase process. You have 1: the actual pump and 2: an energy source being powered by the sun, with a cable or wire connecting the two devices. Solar powered pumps can be used to pump water for humans, livestock or plants. Since the need for water is greatest on sunny hot days the technology is an obvious choice for this application.

Pumping water using solar powered technology is simple, reliable, and requires almost no maintenance.

To date the greatest use for solar powered pumps has been in agriculture where the pumps can be used on remote farms and outback stations to supply water to livestock. The remoteness is the key thing here as powering the pump by any means other than solar would be costly and inefficient. In a like manner, solar powered pumps are used extensively in developing countries to pump water from wells and rivers to villages for domestic consumption and irrigation of crops.

A typical solar powered pumping system consists of an array of Photo Voltaic (PV) cells that powers an electric motor, which drives a pump. The water is often pumped from beneath the ground or from a stream into a storage tank that provides a gravity feed. No energy storage is needed for these systems (save from maybe a rechargeable back-up battery source). Solar powered pumping systems are a cost-effective alternative to windmills (particularly on still days) for remote area water supply.

The most inexpensive solar powered pumps cost less than $1,500 while the larger systems can run to over $20,000. Most PV water pumps rarely exceed 2 horsepower in size. A well installed quality PV water pumping systems can provide over 20 years of reliable and continuous service.

Whilst it has been the needs of developing countries and agriculture that has initially driven the demand for solar powered pump technology, a greater environmental consciousness around the world has seen many householders use solar powered pumps (rather than a less environmentally friendly internal combustion engine) to create solar powered waterfalls or solar powered fountains in a pond display.

A solar powered pond, powered directly from solar panels, will work whenever there is direct sunlight; the brighter the sun the stronger the flow. Some solar powered water fountains will include a remote solar panel with enough wire that allows for the solar panel to be placed well away from the fountain. Solar power offers a great alternative when convenient electrical installation is not possible – as is often the case with gardens.

Decorative additions to a solar powered pond display such as solar powered glowing frog lights and solar powered floating lily pad led lights can usually be purchased at the same place that you purchase your solar powered pump kit.

Tagged with: fountain • Garden • pond • Power • Powered • Pumps • Solar • Sunlight • Using

The Benefits of Geothermal Heat Pumps

Search terms:

Benefits of Geothermal Heat Pumps

Geothermal Heat Pumps: A Viable Option for Your Home

Ground Source Heat Pumps (geothermal) – Heat and Cool Your Home Without Gas or Oil

Geothermal Heating Versus Air Source Heating Pumps – Investment and Operational Costs

Are Geothermal Heat Pumps Viable?

Heating And Cooling With Geothermal Heat Pumps

Geothermal Heat Pumps: A Guide for Planning and Installing

Search terms:

Solar Powered Pumps – Using Sunlight To Power Your Garden Pond Or Fountain

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