Envision using the inherent heat of the Earth to both warm and cool your house in the winter and summer. It sounds like something from a science fiction film, don’t you think? Well, this idea comes to pass with ground-water heat pumps. By using this technology, homes and buildings can have effective heating and cooling systems that take advantage of the constant temperature of the Earth beneath our feet.
The basic idea behind a ground-water heat pump is to move heat from your house to the earth. It makes use of an underground network of pipes known as a ground loop. In order to release heat into the ground during the summer or absorb heat from the ground during the winter, these pipes are filled with a solution of water and antifreeze. In essence, it functions as a super-efficient refrigerator for your house, but instead of keeping food cold, it controls the temperature inside.
The energy efficiency of a ground-water heat pump is one of its main benefits. These pumps are more ecologically friendly than conventional heating systems because they transfer heat using electricity rather than fossil fuels like gas or oil. In the long term, they can also be very economical because they lower energy costs by utilizing the renewable energy found on Earth. Choosing a ground-water heat pump is environmentally friendly and economical, as concerns over climate change and energy conservation are growing.
Thus, if you’re thinking about how to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of your house all year round, a ground-water heat pump could be the answer. It’s a cutting-edge, environmentally responsible replacement for conventional heating and cooling systems that provides sustainability and usability. These systems are getting even more accessible and efficient as technology develops, opening the door for more environmentally friendly home insulation and heating in the future.
| Topic | Description |
| Function | A ground-water heat pump uses the stable temperature of the earth or groundwater to heat or cool your home. |
| How it Works | It transfers heat between your house and the ground through a series of pipes filled with a fluid. In winter, it extracts heat from the ground to warm your home. In summer, it removes heat from your home and transfers it to the cooler ground. |
A ground-water heat pump is a smart and eco-friendly heating and cooling system for homes. Instead of using the outside air, this pump harnesses the stable temperature of the ground or a nearby water source to regulate your home"s temperature. During winter, it extracts heat from the ground to warm your house, and in the summer, it removes heat from your home and transfers it back to the ground. This method is energy-efficient because the ground"s temperature remains relatively constant throughout the year, especially when compared to fluctuating outdoor temperatures. Plus, by relying on the earth"s natural warmth or coolness, you can save on energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. It"s a reliable and sustainable solution for heating and insulation needs.
- Design and operating principle of a ground source heat pump
- Calculation and selection of the ground-water heat pump
- Video on the topic
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- Testing a ground-water heat pump
Design and operating principle of a ground source heat pump
- The ground, below the freezing point, maintains a stable positive temperature. Starting at 30 meters, the ground heating will increase to 18°C. Moreover, the stability of the temperature is not affected by natural factors or the time of year.
- To extract heat, the ground-source heat pump collector or primary heating circuit is used. Pipes are laid 30-50 cm below the frost point. Inside the pipes, a saline solution or propylene glycol circulates in a closed circle. The fluid is heated up to 8°C, after which it is sent to the heat pump. This temperature of glycol is more than enough to heat the coolant.
- A vaporizer is installed in the pump casing, which takes the low potential energy and converts it into enough heat to heat the house and hot water.
The primary circuit’s functions come to an end and the station’s heat exchanger starts up once the heat energy reaches the pump receiver. It is done to convert the heat energy from the ground loop.
The device’s additional working principle is similar to that of air conditioners and refrigerators, but it uses heating rather than cooling:
- In the body of the ground-water heat pump, there is another closed system of pipelines, through which circulates Freon – a gas that is easily converted from gaseous to liquid state and vice versa.
- The vaporizer converts the Freon into a gas. At the same time, a large amount of heat energy delivered from the ground by the primary circuit is absorbed.
- The gas enters the compressor, the pressure of the refrigerant increases, and its temperature rises significantly. Under pressure, Freon enters the next chamber – the condenser.
- The main function of the condenser is to provide sufficient conditions for the reverse conversion of Freon into liquid. The process of directed condensate formation takes place. The received heat is accumulated through the walls and transferred to the water heating circuit of the house. As a result of expansion of the refrigerant, additional heat is released, enough to heat the coolant to 60-65°C.
- Passing through the expansion valve, Freon is finally cooled and transformed into liquid state, after which it returns to the evaporator.
- The heat transfer process is carried out by means of indirect heating. A vessel with a condenser inside is used. Heat enters through the walls of the unit, resulting in the heating of the liquid inside the storage tank. The tank is connected to the heating and DHW system.
Low-temperature heating systems are intended for use with ground source heat pumps for residential use. It is advised that they be connected to underfloor heating.
Calculation and selection of the ground-water heat pump
Effective use of heat pumps that use ground heat requires careful calculations and the selection of the equipment that works best in each specific situation.
Prior to choosing a choice, the following will have to be decided:
- Whether the station will be used as a primary or supplementary heat source.
- Which functions, in addition to heating the heat transfer medium, the heat pump should fulfill.
The ideal ground loop pipe length is directly impacted by the station’s performance.
For initial computations, the heated area of the house is multiplied by two to determine the length of the pipe and the area’s required dimensions for the collector’s location. Therefore, a 400 m² yard will be needed to lay a horizontal circuit for a 200 m² building (although there are vertical and inclined arrangement variations that permit the collector to be placed on a smaller area).
Selecting the heating station comes next if the site’s dimensions and other characteristics permit the installation of a ground heat extraction circuit:
- The calculation takes the power equal to 0.7 kW for every 10 m².
- For a house of 200 m², a unit with a capacity of at least 14 kW will be required. If it is planned to use the pump for heating DHW water, about 20% more reserve is added to the obtained result.
The primary drawback of ground-water pump heating is the requirement for extensive ground construction in order to install the water collector.
Using the earth’s inherent warmth as energy, a ground-water heat pump is a cutting-edge and environmentally responsible method of heating and cooling your house. This system uses the constant temperature of groundwater as a heat sink in the summer and a heat source in the winter, in contrast to traditional heating systems that rely on fossil fuels.
The energy efficiency of a ground-water heat pump is one of its main advantages. These pumps can lower your energy consumption and, in turn, your utility bills by transferring heat instead of creating it. For homeowners wishing to lessen their carbon footprint, it’s an affordable option because the savings can add up over time to significant savings.
Furthermore, ground-water heat pumps are renowned for their dependability and minimal upkeep needs. Compared to traditional heating systems, these systems have fewer moving parts, which means less wear and tear, fewer repairs, and a longer lifespan. This lowers the stress of routine maintenance while also saving you money.
Selecting a ground-water heat pump has advantages for the environment in addition to financial and energy savings. You can help fight climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by choosing renewable energy sources. It’s a step toward a more eco-friendly future and a cozier, warmer house.
