What is a Geothermal Heat Pump?
A heat pump is a mechanical device used for heating and cooling which operates on the principle that heat can be moved from a warmer temperature to a cooler temperature. A geothermal heat pump uses the earth to warm us in the winter and cool us in the summer. You already have a heat pump in your home your refrigerator. If you put your hand behind it you ll feel the heat that has been removed from the food inside the refrigerator. This is the same principle that ECONAR uses to move heat to and from the home and earth. The Technical View of the Heat Pump Process.
A geothermal heat pump is a system of heating and cooling that uses the natural features of shallow ground. Also known as GeoExchange, geothermal heat pumps draw energy from the top 10 feet of the earth’s surface. The temperature of this area is generally stable between 50° to 61°F (10° to 16°C). During the winter, a geothermal heat pump will utilize this ground temperature for heating, while in the summer, the system will use it as a heat sink for cooling. The geothermal heat pump is comprised of a loop that travels under the frost line, the point in which the surface temperature no longer affects the ground. A refrigerant is pumped through the loop and exchanges heat with the cooler or warmer ground. The refrigerant then proceeds back to the appliance, either warmed or cooled depending on the season. Known as direct exchange, this process is used most effectively in keeping an appliance or device at a stable temperature. Oftentimes this system is made from either copper tubing or a h
Geothermal heat pumps have revolutionized the way our homes and pools are heated. Our expert, Pete Peterson, owner of Geothermal Supply Company, who has more than 35 years experience in the heating and cooling business, tells us how geothermal pumps work and why he has dedicated his life to working with them.
