How Geothermal Exchange Units work

A heat pump does not create heat like conventional furnaces, but instead, moves energy from one area to another.  In the winter, heat is provided to the building by a ground source heat pump (GSHP) that extracts heat from the earth using fluids (water and a non-toxic anti-freeze) contained in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) loop pipes.  The fluid circulates through the ground loops where it absorbs energy (heat).  This energy is returned to the heat pump where the heat pump compresses it to a higher, more useable temperature and releases it into the building, see Figure 1.  The now-cooled fluid is sent back to the earth where it absorbs heat energy again, and the process is repeated.  In summer, this process is reversed, creating an equally efficient cooling system.  See Figure 2.

A GSHP distributes heat energy or cooling indoors via forced air; hydronic (water) or both air and water.  A GSHP is similar to a refrigerator, which transfers heat from the interior and releases it to the exterior, thus cooling the interior.  If the circulation were to be reversed, the refrigerator would be warm inside and cool outside.

Figure 1 - Heating Cycle		Figure 2 - Cooling Cycle

Hot Water Production

Using a dedicated water-to-water GSHP or a side arm system, hot water can be provided year round.