What Is a Ground Source Heat Pump?
A ground source heat pump (GSHP) uses the solar energy stored in the earth to heat, cool and even provide hot water for homes and commercial buildings.
These electrically powered systems are described as having closed or open loops. A closed loop system can be installed vertically or horizontally underground whereas an open loop system although installed in the same way requires a water source such as a pond or lake. The available land area, soil and rock type will determine which of these ground loops is used. These factors also allow us to determine which installation will be most economical.
With a closed loop system, a solution of water or antifreeze is pumped through plastic underground pipes. The solution flows through the underground system collecting heat from the earth and distributing it into the building, perfect for the winter. But this fantastic heating system can also reverse its flow and cool the building, sucking heat into the system and dispersing it back into the earth during the summer. This process creates free hot water during the summer and provides substantial hot water savings during the winter.
An open loop system basically works the same way but requires an adequate supply of suitable water close by and will provide similar benefits to the closed loop underground system.