Geothermal
Geothermal Heat-Pump Systems are the fastest growing segment in the energy efficiency field. The technology, which uses the earth's underground heat to produce heating and cooling for buildings, has been around since the early 1980s, but it was too costly for most businesses until energy prices soared in recent years. Now, the monthly savings from geothermal units pay for the installation costs in a relatively short period, while reducing energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. There are also incentives available for installation of geothermal systems.
Earth-Coupled Loop. Geothermal systems are used in commercial applications in several different ways. Energy is exchanged with the ground in a closed or open loop configuration. In a closed loop configuration, polyethylene (PE) pipe is buried in the ground and a fluid is pumped through the piping and into a heat pump, or series of heat pumps. Heat is added or subtracted from the fluid as it flows through the heat pump, depending upon whether the unit is in a heating or cooling mode. The same fluid continues to circulate in the closed circuit piping configuration. In an open loop configuration, a well pump supplies water to a heat exchanger, heat is added or removed from the well water, and the water is discharged back into the aquifer. On the opposite side of the heat exchanger is a closed loop piping circuit supplying water to a series of geothermal heat pumps.
Energy Efficiency. Geothermal heat pumps are able to use 1 unit of electrical energy and produce up to 5 units of heat energy. That is 500% efficient. In commercial applications this heat energy is able to be redistributed throughout a building. During the heating season, heat generated in a computer room, conference room, copy room, or other interior space can be used to heat areas with exterior exposures. The loop circulating water between the heat pumps serves as a fly wheel of sorts by allowing the temperature to drift within a certain range.
Heat pumps are also used in a configuration where a loop is heated with boilers and cooled with a cooling tower or chiller, instead of using the earth’s heat. The loop supplies water to heat pumps.
For further information, contact Travis Deaton at: (406) 728-1111 or by email tdeaton@comfortsystemsusa.com.