A ground source heat pump, also known as a geothermal heat pump, is a heating/cooling system for buildings that uses a type of heat pump to transfer heat to or from the ground, taking advantage of the relative constancy of temperatures of the earth through the seasons. The system consists of three main components: an underground heat collector, a heat pump, and a heat distribution subsystem. The underground heat collector is a series of connected pipes buried in the ground near a building, which circulates a fluid that absorbs or deposits heat to the surrounding soil, depending on whether the ambient air is colder or warmer than the soil. The heat pump removes heat from the collectors fluids, concentrates it, and transfers it to the building when ambient temperatures are colder than the ground, and removes heat from the building and deposits it underground when ambient temperatures are warmer than the ground. The heat distribution subsystem is generally conventional ductwork used to distribute heated or cooled air from the geothermal heat pump throughout the building.
Geothermal heat pumps are energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective systems for heating and cooling buildings. They are quieter, last longer, need little maintenance, and do not depend on the temperature of the outside air. They can be used to heat and cool a single house, single business, or an entire community. The four basic types of ground loop systems are horizontal, vertical, pond/lake, and open-loop. The choice of which system to use depends on several factors such as climate, soil conditions, available land, and local installation costs.
