A geothermal or "ground-source" heat pump is an electrically powered device that uses the natural heat storage ability of the earth and/or the earth's groundwater to heat and cool your home or business.

QUICK FACTS

HOW IT WORKS

Geothermal heat pumps simply move heat energy from one place to another. By using refrigeration, the geothermal heat pump removes heat energy stored in the earth and/or the earth's groundwater and transfers it to the home. It is a heating and cooling system in one, and can change from one mode to another by switching your thermostat. It can also assist in heating hot water year-round.

Different Loops
There are four types of loops: Horizontal Loop, Vertical Loop, Lake/Pond Loop, and Open Loop. Closed Loop describes a geothermal heat pump system that uses a continuous loop of special buried plastic pipe as a heat exchanger. Open Loop describes a geothermal heat pump system that uses groundwater from a conventional well as a heat source in winter and a heat sink in summer. Unlike an Open Loop system that consumes water from a well, a Closed Loop system recirculates its heat transferring solution in pressurized pipe.