The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rated geothermal heat pumps among the most efficient heating and cooling technologies available today. A geothermal system is a central heating and air conditioning system that actively pumps heat to and from the shallow ground. It uses the earth as either a source of heat in the winter or as a coolant in the summer. The system takes advantage of moderate temperatures in the shallow ground to boost efficiency and reduce operational costs. Using less energy than conventional HVAC systems, geothermal systems can significantly reduce not only greenhouse gas emissions, but also overall life-cycle costs. Geothermal systems run up to 44% more efficiently than air source heat pumps, and can help reduce energy bills by 20-50%.
There are three different types of ground source geothermal systems that may be considered for a particular site: the closed-loop; open-loop; and standing-column well field. The system type is selected based on subsurface conditions, hydrogeological characteristics, and well-field design and development costs. Although the initial cost of a geothermal system can be higher than traditional HVAC systems, the difference in price is usually returned 3-10 years after installation and compensated with a much longer life span of at least 25 years with little maintenance.
With fuel costs skyrocketing and with concerns about foreign energy dependence and climate change, the popularity of using the stable temperature of the earth to heat and cool homes and businesses is increasing. When properly designed and installed, ground source heat pumps (a.k.a. geothermal heat pumps or GHPs) not only reduce energy costs, but they also lower maintenance costs and extend equipment life. When compared to oil or natural gas-fired boilers or furnaces, GHPs can often cut energy costs by 50% or more. Additionally, GHPs are considered a sustainable or “green” technology, as they efficiently reclaim and recycle thermal energy from the earth.
Ground source heat pump systems incorporate a piping loop buried in the ground, which is considerably warmer than the outdoor air in winter and cooler than the outdoor air in summer. Either water or another fluid is circulated through the loop system, and a heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the fluid during winter or to add heat to the fluid during summer. There are three principal types of ground source heat pumps (GSHP) and there are several variations on each of these principal types:
1. Ground-coupled heat pumps (GCHP)
2. Ground water heat pumps (GWHP)
3. Surface water heat pumps (SWHP)
The selection of the best GSHP is largely dependent on the geological and thermal characteristics of a site. Where ample ground water is available, ground water heat pumps often are the most cost-effective system. Following an examination of the site geology and the heating and cooling loads of the building, ARM Energy Solutions’ experienced geologists and engineers can select the geothermal system that will operate at the highest efficiency and lowest cost.
From residential sites to large manufacturing facilities, ARM Energy Solutions has the resources to provide “turn key” geothermal system design-build services. For larger projects, AES forms and manages an expert team of experienced mechanical contractors, mechanical engineers, and drilling contractors to design and build highly effective, quality-assured geothermal systems on schedule and on budget.