Imagine being able to use the natural heat of the Earth to cool your home in the summer and warm it in the winter. That sounds like something from a science fiction book, don’t you think? That’s not the case, though. This is made possible by technological advancements in geothermal heat pumps, which provide an effective and environmentally friendly means of controlling the temperature in your house.
So what is the operation of a geothermal heat pump? A geothermal heat pump uses the constant temperature of the Earth beneath the surface to provide heat or cold air, in contrast to conventional heating and cooling systems that rely on burning fossil fuels or electricity. The temperature is fairly constant, even at a few feet below the surface, being warmer in the winter and colder in the summer.
Fundamentally, the way a geothermal heat pump works is by moving heat energy from your house to the earth. It is made up of a loop, or set of pipes, that are buried underground in a horizontal or vertical orientation based on the soil’s properties and available space. A water-based solution is pumped through these pipes and circulated throughout the system.
As the liquid moves through the underground loop in the winter, it picks up heat from the earth. The geothermal heat pump inside your house uses a heat exchanger to receive this heat after that. In this instance, the fluid’s heat is extracted and used to warm the air that is ducted throughout your house.
On the other hand, the procedure is the opposite during the summer. Heat is transferred from the indoor air of your house to the fluid that circulates through the subterranean loop by the geothermal heat pump. The fluid is effectively cooled as it passes through the loop buried beneath the surface of the Earth and releases heat into the colder ground. Ultimately, even on the hottest days, the cooled air is dispersed throughout your house to keep you comfortable.
| Component | Description |
| Heat Exchanger | Transfers heat between the ground and the fluid in the system. |
| Refrigerant | Absorbs heat from the ground and carries it to the compressor. |
| Compressor | Pressurizes the refrigerant, increasing its temperature. |
| Condenser | Condenses the hot refrigerant, releasing heat to the house. |
| Expansion Valve | Reduces pressure on the refrigerant, preparing it for the next cycle. |
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What is a geothermal pump
Geothermal heating heat pumps are self-contained stations that utilize the low potential heat energy of the earth and groundwater to heat your home. Ground energy heat pumps have long been used in the EU, America and Asia. Long-term practice of using geothermal heat pumps for heating houses, not only showed the expediency of further use of stations, but also allowed to see and eliminate certain disadvantages. Heat supply with the use of geothermal pumps is based on the use of low potential energy. In essence, a heat pump is the same air conditioner, only working on heating. There are some differences. The design of the TH is more adapted for heating than for cooling of premises. Unlike air heat pumps, the necessary conditions for effective operation are not positive ambient temperature. The collector, through which the heat energy is drawn, is located below the ground freezing level. Therefore, it is allowed to use the heat pump in northern latitudes. The most popular are the combined systems of solar heating and geothermal pump. Working in conjunction, the equipment receives enough energy to comfortably heat the house and provide the needs of DHW.
Using the constant temperature of the Earth, the geothermal heat pump effectively heats or cools your house. It functions by pumping a liquid through an underground loop where the temperature is mostly constant all year long. The fluid pulls heat from your house and releases it into the cooler ground in the summer and absorbs heat from the ground and carries it into your home in the winter. This procedure minimizes your carbon footprint and lowers your heating and cooling expenses. It is also very energy-efficient and ecologically friendly. Geothermal heat pumps are an excellent option for environmentally conscientious homeowners because they provide a sustainable means of heating and cooling homes by utilizing the Earth’s natural energy resources.
How the geothermal pump works
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A geothermal extraction circuit filled with brine (propylene glycol) is installed.
Moreover, TH functions in the same manner as other models that absorb ambient heat. The apparatus on the pump is as follows:
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Closed circuit – Freon circulates through the pipes, changing from liquid to gaseous state.
A geothermal pump will enable the premises to be heated to a comfortable temperature of +23 +25 °C. This indicator is more than sufficient for winter heating.
Low-temperature heating systems use a geothermal pump as a heat source. The manufacturers advise using the heat pump to heat the coolant in radiant floor heaters, even though it can be connected to radiator circuits.
The geothermal heat pump’s operating principle guarantees complete safety when using the apparatus. The plant runs in the summer to provide cooling.
Combining solar panels with a geothermal pump has a few benefits, the primary ones being the station’s complete independence from the central power source and additional financial savings.
Ground-water pump
The effectiveness of the "brine" that extracts heat from the earth is the only factor affecting geothermal heating and cooling systems. There are two ways to lay the loop, each offering a unique set of thermal efficiency features:
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Horizontal heat exchanger – the depth of laying the circuit below the ground freezing, which does not require the use of complex drilling equipment, careful planning and production of project documentation. The pipes are buried at a depth of 1 m or more. The disadvantage of this solution is that the length of the geothermal loop must be very long.
For example, to heat a house with an area of 220 m², it will be necessary to place pipes on an area of 600 m², therefore, it is possible to carry out the work only if there is a large adjacent territory.
The popularity of these heating systems is limited by the global excavation work required for the installation of geothermal heat pumps.
Water-to-water pump
An alternative would be to use groundwater-derived geothermal energy to heat the home. Additionally, the task is completed in two ways:
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Heat exchanger at the bottom of a pond is one of the popular solutions. Does not require capital expenditures and large-scale excavations. The pipes are laid on the bottom of a nearby lake or pond, or, subject to authorization, a river. The minimum requirement for installation is the location of the water body not more than 100 m from the heated room, depth not less than 3 m.
Due to its greater thermal efficiency, ease of installation, and reduced installation costs, autonomous heating based on geothermal heat pumps—which harness the heat of reservoirs and groundwater—is gaining popularity.
Geothermal heat pumps, which take advantage of the Earth’s constant temperature below the surface, provide a ground-breaking method of heating and cooling homes. They provide reliable warmth in the winter and effective cooling in the summer by making use of this reliable heat source.
Geothermal heat pumps use electricity instead of burning fossil fuels like traditional heating systems do to transfer heat from the earth into homes. Not only is this procedure eco-friendly, but it also offers homeowners long-term savings by drastically lowering energy costs.
The adaptability of geothermal heat pumps is one of their main benefits. They can be placed in a variety of locations, such as industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and residential residences. Their versatility renders them a feasible choice for an extensive array of heating and cooling requirements.
In addition, maintenance requirements for geothermal heat pumps are lower than for traditional heating systems. After installation, they run effectively and silently, delivering dependable comfort all year round without requiring regular maintenance or repairs.
To sum up, geothermal heat pumps are an affordable and environmentally friendly way to heat and cool homes. Their utilization of the Earth’s inherent heat reservoir provides reliable performance, reduced energy consumption, and eco-friendly advantages. Purchasing a geothermal heat pump not only improves comfort but also helps ensure a more environmentally friendly future for future generations.
