Geothermal Heat Pumps

A Proven Renewable Energy Technology

While Earth travels through Space…

…it Absorbs Energy from the Sun

This natural Energy Collection and Storage System captures nearly half of the Solar Energy falling on Earth…

…thus maintaining a nearly Constant Temperature throughout the year just below the surface

Water is an incredibly efficient medium for transporting Thermal Energy

Geothermal Heat Pump Systems combine Sun, Earth and Water using proven technology…

… to create “the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning system” (according to U.S. EPA 1993)

Geothermal Heat Pump Basic Principles

The Earth is the Source of Heat in Winter… Outdoor air design temperature: 10 °F in winter 72 °F Insulating layer of earth 60 °F

A geothermal heat pump takes heat from the earth during winter and transfers it into the building

…and an Efficient Place to Reject Heat in Summer… Outdoor air design temperature: 100 °F in summer 72 °F Insulating layer of earth 60 °F

A geothermal heat pump cools the building in summer by rejecting heat into the earth

…using Heat Pump Technology

When the warm or cold water exiting the heat pump is pumped through the loop, it is naturally cooled or warmed by the earth surrounding it A geothermal heat pump is connected to a sealed water piping loop buried in the earth near the building Insulating layer of earth 60 °F

Geothermal Heat Pump Efficiency One unit of energy from the grid Yields: 4-6 units of energy for the building Plus: 3-5 units of energy from the earth 400-600% Efficient

Heat Pumps Are All Around Us… Air conditioners and air source heat pumps transfer heat from inside houses to the air outside.

HEAT HEAT B B B

Refrigerators transfer heat from food into the kitchen.

Residential Site Energy

Conventional System

Over 70% of the energy consumed by a typical home is used for heating, cooling, and water heating

Residential Site Energy

Geothermal Heat Pump System

Total site energy consumption is reduced by 50%

Geothermal Heat Pumps are the Most Efficient way to convert Green Energy into Heating, Cooling and Water Heating

Making the most effective use of this precious resource

Geothermal Systems can be Classified as: Solar Geothermal Renewable Alternative Demand-Side

Conservation Energy-Efficiency Zero-Ozone Depleting

Environmentally Responsible

Geothermal Heat Pump Installation Methods

Vertical Closed-Loop

A pair of pipes with a special U-bend assembly at the bottom is placed into bore holes from 150 to 400 feet deep

Horizontal Closed-Loop

A piping array is installed in trenches cut 3 to 5 feet deep and hundreds of feet in length

Surface Water Closed-Loop

A piping array is submerged in a pond or lake at least 8 feet deep

Ground Water Open-Loop

Well water from an underground aquifer is pumped through the geothermal heat pump and then returned to the aquifer or discharged to the surface

Vertical Closed-Loop Installation Drilling Pipe Loop Insertion Fusing Piping Loops Ready for Unit Installed Heat Pump

Geothermal Heat Pump Operation

Geothermal Heat Pumps Exchange Heat between Air and Water

$5 $4

$1 Worth of Electricity to Operate the Compressor and Fan Moves $4 Worth of Heat from the Water Delivering $5 Worth of Heat into the Air Heating Mode Shown Heat can be “pumped uphill” meaning delivered at a higher temperature than the source

$1

Geothermal Heat Pumps Heat or Cool on Demand and also Produce Hot Water Operates on the Same Principle as a Refrigerator Cooling Mode Shown

Geothermal Heat Pump Advantages

Proven Technology

•Millions of units installed world-wide in commercial and residential applications

Most Energy-Efficient and Environmentally Friendly HVAC System Widely Available

•Water is a better heat transfer medium than air •Heat exchange loops tap the renewable energy of the Earth

Whole House Comfort

•Heats or cools on demand •Better Comfort and humidity control •Easily adapted to zoned systems

Produces “Free” Hot Water Uses EarthPure™ Refrigerant

(ozone safe)

No Fossil Fuel

•Improves safety •Eliminates service lines, flues, outside air intakes •No site emissions

No Outdoor Units

•Better aesthetics •No noise •No vandalism or theft concerns

Long Equipment Life

•Factory sealed systems •Indoor installation – no exposure to the elements •Moderate compressor loading vs. air-source systems

Self Contained Compact Units

•Hidden within attics or installed in closets •Upflow, horizontal, or downflow single-package units •Split system and water-to-water units available

Geothermal systems are at work in thousands of buildings throughout the world The Oklahoma State Capitol uses over 600 geothermal heat pumps

Our Planet Is Under Assault From Many Forces

Our Planet is under Assault from many Forces

Buildings are the Major Contributor 43% of U.S. Carbon Emissions Industry 377 MMTC (25%) Transportation 482 MMTC (32%) Buildings 658 MMTC (43%) 39% of U.S. Primary Energy Consumption 71% of U.S. Electricity Global Pressures 53% of U.S. Natural Gas

1970-2020 (Exxon Mobile Projection)

There Are Many Solutions

There are Many Solutions

Geothermal Heat Pumps are one of the Most Effective and Deployable and…

… produce the lowest carbon dioxide emissions, including all source effects, of all available space-conditioning technologies (EPA, 1993)

Using a Single Geothermal Heat Pump is Equivalent to Planting an Acre of Trees

Using A Single Geothermal Heat Pump Is Equivalent to Taking Two Cars off the Road

Since their introduction in the 1980’s, nearly 1 million Geothermal Heat Pumps have been installed in the United States This is the equivalent to planting 1 million acres of trees, and of taking Two Million cars off the road