What is Geothermal/ Ground Source Heat Pump(GSHP)?

Geothermal (or ground-source) use the natural heat storage capacity of the ground, rock, or ground water - instead of outside air - to provide heating, cooling and domestic hot water.

Once temperatures below ground surface are relatively constant year round (well above the freezing point), geothermal heat pumps have excellent performance in any climate and weather. They can be used for virtually any size home and commercial buildings, or lot in any world region.

 

How does it work?

Basically, geothermal heating/cooling systems operate via sub-surface conductive heat transfer, using the natu­rally renewable temperature of the earth’s crust as a heat source in the winter, and as a heat sink in the summer.

Cooling Mode Operation

In the cooling mode, the hot refrigerant (well over 100 degrees F) exiting the compressor is sent directly into the approximate 50 to 60 degree F range deep earth, which now absorbs and takes the heat away. The cooled refrigerant fluid is then circulated through the air handler where it absorbs and removes unwanted heat from the interior air. The heated refrigerant travels to the ETA system’s compressor where the process is repeated. Thus, in the cooling mode, the ground removes your heat for free.

 

Heating Mode Operation                                                          

In the heating mode, approximate 50 to 60 degree F range naturally occurring heat from deep within the earth travels to, and is absorbed by, a much colder refrigerant fluid that is circulated within the copper tubing in­side a deep well/borehole. Such naturally occurring heat is transported by the refrigerant fluid to the system’s compressor where the fluid is compressed, thereby raising its pressure and temperature, transforming the 55 degree F temperature into a temperature well over 100 degrees F. The hot refrigerant is then circulated through the finned tubing within an air handler, where the cold return interior air absorbs the heat. The heated air is supplied, via a fan, to the interior air space. With the heat now removed from the refrigerant fluid, it becomes very cold and is re-circulated into the ground to absorb more naturally occurring and renewable heat. Thus, the ground supplies your heat for free.

Hot Water Heating  

Utilizing the EnPlus geothermal system’s optional Hot Water Pre-Heater (HWPH), the system can also produce virtually free hot water. Capturing excess heat in the refrigerant, this module can typically provide about 50% of the total hot water needs for an average home or business. Additionally, the EnPlus system can be designed to solely provide heat for low-cost hot water generation for hot tubs, swimming pools, or for in-floor hydronic heating purposes.

EnPlus units can be specifically designed to solely heat water for residential, commercial, and industrial applica­tions at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods.

Ground source heat pumps can be categorized as having closed or open loops, and those loops can be installed in three ways: horizontally, vertically, or in a pond/lake. The type chosen depends on the available land areas and the soil and rock type at the installation site. These factors will help determine the most economical choice for installation of the ground loop.

For closed loop systems, water or antifreeze solution is circulated through plastic pipes buried beneath the earth's surface. During the winter, the fluid collects heat from the earth and carries it through the system and into the building. During the summer, the system reverses itself to cool the building by pulling heat from the building, carrying it through the system and placing it in the ground. This process creates free hot water in the summer and delivers substantial hot water savings in the winter.

Open loop systems operate on the same principle as closed loop systems and can be installed where an adequate supply of suitable water is available and open discharge is feasible. Benefits similar to the closed loop system are obtained.

 

Technology Benefits

EnPlus Geothermal Technologies are believed to be unrivaled in terms of efficiency, comfort, and aesthetics.

Good Appearance- Noisy outdoor equipment is a thing of the past when you install an EnPlus geothermal system. EnPlus systems utilize copper ground source heat exchangers (“GSHE”) that are deeply buried in the ground. Once installed, no one can see or hear the advanced GSHE hard at work beneath the surface. EnPlus’s designer stainless steel compressor unit makes about as much noise as a household refrigerator and can be placed indoors or outdoors.

Energy Savings - By combining stored earth energy with safe electric power, geothermal systems can deliver operational cost savings of 30 to 60 percent.

Comfort - Geothermal systems heat and cool homes in an even fashion, so hot and cold spots are eliminated.  Geothermal systems offer better dehumidification than traditional systems, as well.

Safety - With geothermal, there are no flames, flue or fumes -- just safe electricity and the warmth of the earth.

Low Noise - With a Geothermal system, the outdoor unit is eliminated

Reliability - Fewer moving parts lead to greater reliability.  Since all equipment is housed indoors, it is protected from the elements.

Clean - Geothermal systems minimize environmental threats linked to fossil fuel burning like acid rain, air pollution and the greenhouse effect.

Flexibility - Geothermal systems have worked efficiently in applications from Northern Canada to Southern Florida.  Many different applications can utilize geothermal technology.

 

Products

Ground Source Heat Pump--Package

Water to water Geothermal Heat Pump

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