Haverford Climate Action

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Heating Mode

Circulation: The above-ground heat pump moves water or another fluid through a series of buried pipes or ground loops.
Heat absorption: As the fluid passes through the ground loop, it absorbs heat from the warmer soil, rock, or ground water around it.
Heat exchange and use: The heated fluid returns to the building where it used for useful purposes, such as space or water heating. The system uses a heat exchanger to transfer heat into the building’s existing air handling, distribution, and ventilation system, or with the addition of a desuperheater it can also heat domestic water.
Recirculation: Once the fluid transfers its heat to the building, it returns at a lower temperature to the ground loop to be heated again. This process is repeated, moving heat from one point to another for the user’s benefit and comfort.

Cooling Mode

Heat exchange and absorption: Water or another fluid absorbs heat from the air inside the building through a heat exchanger, which is the way a typical air conditioner works.
Circulation: The above-ground heat pump moves the heated fluid through a series of buried pipes or ground loops.
Heat discharge: As the heated fluid passes through the ground loop, it gives off heat to the relatively colder soil, rock, or ground water around it.
Recirculation: Once the fluid transfers its heat to the ground, the fluid returns at a lower temperature to the building, where it absorbs heat again. This process is repeated, moving heat from one point to another for the user’s benefit and comfort.

What is it?

Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHP) are self-contained units that efficiently heat and cool

homes and commercial buildings while providing hot water. They use standard electronic

thermostats and duct systems, making them appropriate for retrofits of standard heating,

ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Geothermal Heat Pumps can be sized

to heat and cool any building in any climate.

The above-ground heat pump is relatively inexpensive, with underground installation of ground loops (piping) accounting for most of the system’s cost. Heat pumps can support space heating and cooling needs in almost any part of the country, and they can also be used for domestic hot water applications. Increasing the capacity of the piping loops can scale this technology for larger buildings or locations where space heating and cooling, as well as water heating, may be needed for most of the year.

Benefits

Is the most efficient

Costs less to operate

Is better for the environment

Is safer

Is more comfortable

Lasts longer

Can give you free hot water

Can help in getting your home to “net zero”

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Geothermal