GEO Energy
What is a
ground source
heat pump?
Geothermal heating and cooling works by utilising the natural heat stored in the Earth to effectively transfer heat to climate control systems within your home, as well as supply hot water. Additionally, many of these systems are adaptable for cooling purposes during hot weather conditions.
These systems capitalize on the consistent temperature of the ground just beneath the surface throughout the year. By engineering systems to efficiently transfer energy between the ground and the home, it becomes feasible to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors regardless of the season.
During winter, the relatively warmer ground temperature is utilized to heat homes, while the geothermal cooling function enables the systems to expel excess heat from buildings into the ground during hot weather spells.
How do
geothermal systems
work?
Ground source heat systems function by circulating water containing antifreeze (typically glycol) through a network of underground pipes, known as a ground loop. This loop is buried in the ground, and its length is determined by factors such as the size of your property and the desired level of heating or cooling.
The length of the loop influences its capacity to extract warmth from the ground, but it also requires adequate space. If your land parcel permits, the loop can be installed horizontally in a trench. Alternatively, if space is limited, vertical boreholes can be drilled to accommodate the pipe, reaching deeper into the ground.
The specific requirements for installing a horizontal loop or the depth needed for boreholes depend on various factors. RHCS will tailor the system design to meet the heating and cooling needs of your home and ensure it’s suitable for local conditions.
As the antifreeze mixture flows through the loop, it absorbs heat from the ground. This heat is then transferred through a heat exchanger to a heat pump. These pumps operate in a manner similar to refrigerators but in reverse, extracting energy from the ground and transferring it into your home.
What are the benefits of geothermal heating and cooling?
There are numerous advantages associated with geothermal heating and cooling systems, making it an attractive option for homeowners. Perhaps most significantly, it significantly reduces reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to heating and cooling compared to conventional methods.
This not only benefits the environment but also helps to lower fuel bills, particularly for those transitioning from conventional electric and gas heating systems. Additionally, it provides assurance against potential future fuel price increases.
Equipment
can be installed internally,
removing the requirement
for unsightly and noisy louvres
Efficiency
for as much as 40% of energy
usage*, an efficient heating
system is essential to reduce
energy consumption and cost.
* https://www.energy.gov.au/households/quick-wins
Ground source heat pump benefits:
GSHPs use the energy in the ground to heat or cool homes with high efficiency, using 1 unit of electricity for 5-6 units of energy.
The GSHP is located inside of the home.
GSHPs are considerably quitter than ASHP’s.
Switching to ground source heat pumps can significantly reduce your annual electricity bill.
GSHPs can provide heating in winter and cooling in summer.
GSHP’s when designed and installed correctly should last 25+ years.
GSHPs require little to no servicing and can drastically reduce running costs when designed and installed correctly.
GSHP’s run on electricity and can be integrated in a new or existing solar PV system.
Ground source heat pump disadvantages:
GSHP systems are more expensive to install, the added cost is usually recuperated in less than 5 years. RHCS will provide a CAPEX payback analysis for our clients.
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