Geothermal heat pumps operate similar to air-to-air heat pumps, transferring rather than creating heat, however, they use the earth itself (closed loop) or ground water in the earth (open loop) as a heat source and heat sink, rather than outside air. Because the earth’s temperatures are much more constant year-round, warmer in winter and cooler in summer, geothermal heat pumps operate more efficiently.

Geothermal heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular due to their heating and cooling energy efficiency, and related environmental and ownership benefits, especially where soil conditions are favorable or ground water is available.

In the heating mode, a geothermal heat pump typically extracts two-thirds or more of the needed energy from the earth to indoors through use of a buried water loop. Only one-third or less of the energy needed is purchased power, primarily used to run the compressor. In the summer, geothermal heat pumps move heat from indoors into the relatively cool earth or water loop. The result in both seasons is that less energy is needed than in conventional air-to-air heat pumps, natural gas, or oil heating systems.

Additional ownership benefits include more useable space in the home since the indoor unit can be installed in a portion of an equipment room or small closet. And, there is no visible outdoor unit to suffer deterioration from corrosion, weather, or vandalism ... and no outdoor compressor noise!

Geothermal heat pumps have lower operating, maintenance, and life cycle costs, increased reliability, and provide greater comfort than other heating and cooling systems. As fuel costs rise and environmental factors play more important roles in decision-making, we see increasing acceptance of this remarkable technology.