A Guide to Ground Based Heat Pumps
Ground based heat pumps are starting to provide more and more heat to homes all around the world. The high prices and demands for fossil fuel, combined with the threats they pose to the environment, have caused a lot of people to start considering more cheaper and sustainable heating options. This is where ground based heat pumps come in handy. The problem is, not many people are aware of the benefits of these pumps, nor do they know how exactly these pumps work.
What Are Ground Based Heat Pumps?
In short, these pumps take the heat from one place and transfer it to another place. It's basically the same operation as that of refrigeration, except the process is ultimately reversed. The heat from the sun is "saved" in the ground, which is where ground head pumps take their heat from. The heat is then distributed throughout your house. These pumps can also draw heat from water sources, like a river or a well.
How do These Pumps Work?
Ground heat pumps are simple devices that have extremely few moving parts. A plastic ground heat exchanger is positioned into the ground and forms a closed loop circuit. The piping is then filled with a refrigerant or a fluid that is then constantly pumped throughout the circuit.
The fluid is used to absorb the heat from the ground and is pushed to a separate compressor which then heats it even further. After that, the heated substance is pushed to your house. During warmer weather conditions, this process can also be reversed to cool down your house.
Ground based heat pumps are very efficient by themselves. If you install them in a house that's properly insulated, however, you increase their efficiency even more.
Installation
Before installing a heat pump, you have to make sure that you have plenty of land available and that it's in great condition. If you have a large amount of land available, you should consider installing horizontal ground loops – it's the most effective. If the space is tight, then the contractors will have to drill holes throughout the land to install the pipes. It's possible for you to install a pump and have it work in conjunction with a radiator, but it's recommended to install an underfloor heating solution for best results.
You should always call up a professional contractor in order to install your heat pump. They won't just install the pump, but will also assess the condition of your house and determine which kind of pump is most efficient for you, such as Mitsibishi heat pumps.
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