A geothermal heat pump moves the coolant between your home and the long pipes buried underground. These pipes are deep enough to reach areas where the temperature remains more or less constant. The system's compressor, expansion valve and condenser manage the pressurization and movement of the refrigerant. The answer to that is yes, geothermal heat pumps can and do work well in cold winter climates.
This is possible because, although we experience an enormous change in temperature above the ground as the autumn leaves turn into snowflakes and ice, the land a few meters below is not affected. A typical geothermal system of terrestrial origin consists of long loops of pin-shaped plastic tubes buried in the ground of your property. This arrangement, known as a terrestrial heat exchanger, can be installed in a horizontal configuration at an average depth of 5 feet or buried vertically in deep drill holes. A heat-absorbing fluid, similar to antifreeze, is pumped through the network of tubes.
As the liquid circulates, it absorbs the latent thermal energy present in the soil throughout the year. The heated fluid is transported from the circular field to a heat pump located in a sealed compartment inside the house. Even during extremely cold weather, geothermal heat pumps continue to perform very well. This is because once they are about 10 feet below the surface, the ground maintains a constant temperature of about 55 degrees.
So, whether it's 100 degrees outside or -15 degrees, the pump should continue to work very efficiently. During winter, the temperature of the coolant is reduced so that it can absorb thermal energy from the floor thanks to thermodynamics. Since the floor maintains a fairly constant temperature, it is not necessary to lower the coolant temperature too much to achieve optimal heating results. One thing to remember about these geothermal heat pumps is that even if the outside air is cold, the ground won't have the same temperature.
If the size is wrong, a geothermal pump would not be able to withstand cold winter days and a secondary heat source would be needed. . Once they have this number, a geothermal installer can accurately estimate which heat pump will perform well. In addition to setting a single set point for your geothermal unit, the installer must also ensure that the thermostat is programmed to remain in a heating stage until it reaches the desired temperature in the home.
This is usually said with an eyebrow raised, as there are a lot of misconceptions and false information on the Internet, including claims that geothermal energy is not ideal or that naturally produced heat cannot withstand the cold Wisconsin winter. The air that passes through the heat exchanger is heated with this heat released and is then dispersed in the ducts to heat the house. Many installers and suppliers are guilty of reducing the size of the units, which has tarnished the efficiency of geothermal heat pumps and the industry in general. The best way to determine if the geothermal installer is up to the task is to ensure that they are certified and trained in geothermal design and installation.
To help dramatically reduce energy consumption this winter and year round, a geothermal heating and cooling system makes a lot of sense for your Chesapeake home. This is probably due to the common misconception that all geothermal energy comes from the vaporous by-products of geysers or from the intense heat of volcanic activity. It consists of a long refrigerant tube that is buried underground somewhere on your property, a compressor to change the temperature of the refrigerant, and a heat exchanger to extract heat from the refrigerant and transfer it to the air in your home. After exiting the primary heat exchanger, the cooled heat exchange fluid circulates again through the buried circular field to absorb more thermal energy from the ground.
However, the downside is that if the ambient air temperature drops too low, a heat pump with an air source will need to use an auxiliary heater, which is normally powered by electricity, to supplement your home's heating needs. One thing to determine this is the amount of liquid that will be needed to meet the home's heat pump and heating needs. .
