GEO THERMAL HEAT PUMP AIR CONDITIONING

SYSTEM
GUIDE
VATHSALA M N
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
• Dictionary definition
– Relating to the internal heat of the earth
• The Earth acts as a giant solar collector, absorbing
approximately 50% of the energy emitted by the
Sun.
• Air temperatures may fluctuate as much as 50F
above and below the annual average. However, only
a few feet below the surface, the changes in earth
temperatures are much less severe.
 Heat pumps “move” energy from one location to
another, instead of creating heat by burning fossil
fuels, such as a gas furnace does. -- (like your
refrigerator).
 Geothermal Heat Pumps use the earth or well water to
provide heating, cooling and hot water for your home.
 A geothermal heat pump “moves” energy to/from the
ground, eliminating the outdoor equipment associated
with ordinary heat pumps or air conditioners.
 The earth loop is placed in the ground either
horizontally or vertically, or it can be placed in a
pond.
 Water and anti-freeze is circulated through the
pipe, transporting heat to the heat pump during
the heating mode and away from the heat pump
during the cooling mode.
 The heat transfer takes place inside the heat pump
in a water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger.
 During the heating season, the earth serves as a
heat source. (HE - Heat of extraction)

 During the cooling season, the earth serves as a

heat sink. (HR - Heat of rejection)
• Geothermal heat pumps consist of four circuits:
– Distribution circuit
• The system that distributes the conditioned air or
water solution throughout the home or building and
returns it to the unit.
– Refrigerant circuit
• A sealed and pressurized circuit of refrigerant
including compressor, expansion valve, water-to-
refrigerant heat exchanger(s), air coil, reversing valve.
The refrigerant is either R-22 or R-410A.
• Geothermal heat pumps consist of four
circuits:
– Ground loop circuit
• The piping system buried in the ground has fluid that
is circulated by pumps to and from the geothermal
unit.
– Hot water circuit
• Domestic water can be heated in a geothermal unit
with a device called a desuperheater. A piping
connection is made from the geothermal unit to the
water heater.
• Each of these circuits is closed and sealed from the
others—there is no direct mixing.

• However, heat energy does transfer from the

refrigeration circuit to the other three circuits.

• The refrigerant flow will change direction when the

unit changes modes (heating or cooling).
 The Four Circuits in a Geothermal Heat Pump

= Flow of Energy
Distribution Circuit (Heat)

Refrigeration Circuit

Earth Loop Circuit Hot Water Circuit

Circulation: The above-ground heat pump moves water or another fluid through a series of buried
pipes or ground loops.

Heat absorption: As the fluid passes through the ground loop, it absorbs heat from the warmer soil,
rock, or ground water around it.

Heat exchange and use: The heated fluid returns to the building where it used for useful purposes,
such as space or water heating. The system uses a heat exchanger to transfer heat into the building’s
existing air handling, distribution, and ventilation system.

Recirculation: Once the fluid transfers its heat to the building, it returns at a lower temperature to the
ground loop to be heated again. This process is repeated, moving heat from one point to another for the
user’s benefit and comfort.
 Compressor
Low Pressure High Pressure
Vapor State Vapor State

Evaporator Condenser

Low Pressure High Pressure

Liquid State Liquid State

TXV
 Heating Mode Operation
 Cooling Mode Operation
 Geothermal Heat Pumps use only a small amount
of energy to capture a large amount of FREE
energy from the earth.
• ARI has designated the efficiency ratings for water-
to-air heat pumps as:
– Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
• EER = BTU output divided by power watt input
• For cooling operation under steady state test
conditions

– Coefficient of Performance (COP)

• COP = BTU output divided by BTU input
• For heating operation under steady state test
conditions
Cooling Efficiency (EER)

30

25

New Geothermal Unit

20
Previous Geothermal Unit

15
High Efficiency AC or Heat
Pump

10
Ordinary Air Conditioner or Heat
Pump

0
Heating Efficiency (COP)

5.0

4.5

4.0
New Geothermal Unit
3.5
Previous Geothermal Unit
3.0

Heat Pump
2.5

2.0 High Efficiency Gas/Propane

Furnace
1.5 Ordinary Gas/Propane Furnace

1.0

0.5

0.0
 Closed Loop (w/ antifreeze)
◦ Horizontal
◦ Vertical
◦ Pond
 Open Loop
◦ Well Water
 Open well systems

+ can be cheaper initial install cost

+ constant supply of consistent btuh’s
- requires substantial water over life of system
- if well fails no heating or cooling
- not allowed in some local areas
Well Water
(Open Loop)

Uses existing
well

Requires 1.5 gpm/ton

 Key Considerations
◦ Adequate water supply (5-9 gpm in addition to
household requirements)
◦ Good quality water (low mineral content)
◦ Adequate discharge location (drainage ditch, field
tile, pond, etc.)
 Closed loop systems

+ low maintenance
+ typical one time install, long warranty on pipe
- higher up front installation cost
- variable supply of btuh’s so sizing is critical
- requires dedicated space for wells or trenches
Horizontal Loop
 2- Pipe Horizontal

3 feet

5- 6 feet
2 feet

10 ft.

2 feet

Typically 3-4 trenches, 250 feet long each

 4- Pipe Horizontal

3 feet

5- 6 feet
2 feet

10 ft.
2 feet

Typically 2 trenches, 180 feet long each

 6- Pipe Horizontal

3 feet

5- 6 feet
2 feet

10 ft.
2-3 feet 1 foot

Typically 1 or 2 trenches, 120 feet long each

 5- 6 feet

10 ft.

2-3 feet

Typically 3 or 4 trenches, 100-150 feet long each

Typically 3-4 bores, 200 feet long each
Vertical Loop
 Side View

Vertical Loop
5- 6 feet

Typically 3 to 5 bore 120 – 150 feet

10 – 15 feet
holes, 130 feet deep
each
Vertical bore without backfill
Geothermal pipe Bentonite
Grout backfill
U-Bend
used for
Vertical
Loops
Vertical Loop
Drilling

Use drilling rig

like ones used
for water well
drilling.
Pond Loop

Minimum ½ acre, 8
ft. deep
Spacers allow for
more circulation
around pipes
Top View

Side View

Typically 3 to 5 coils,
300 feet long each
Slim Jim Lake Plate Heat Exchanger
 Forced air heating and cooling
 Supplemental water heating
 Forced Air Zoned Systems
 Dedicated water heating (radiant floor, snow melt, domestic
purposes, pools)
 Add-on splits to fossil fuel furnaces
 Water-to-Air units:
 Return Air temperatures
 Adequate Ductwork
 Water-to-Water units:
Load-Side Flow
 Load-Side Temperature
 All units:
 Loop Considerations
 Available Space
 Installation Costs
Typical
Closed Loop
Equipment
and
Accessories
Typical
Installation
Water-to-Water Systems
• Homes with large hot water
demands, radiant floor heat,
snow melt and indoor pools
can be ideal for water-water
systems.
RFH with a Fan Coil Cooling System

W2W
Unit
• Geothermal equipment that uses the stored
solar energy from the ground for heating and
cooling.

• Covered expenditures include labor for onsite

preparation, assembly, or original system
installation and for piping or wiring to connect a
system to the home.
Sl No Items Duration in Period
Months
1 Heat pump 4-6 April 2019-
Sep 2019
2 Construction of 3-4 April 2019-
room July 2019
3 Excavation of 3-4 days Oct 2019
trenches
4 Plumbing works 20-30 days Nov 2019 –
Dec 2019
5 Electrical Works 15-20 days Jan 2019
6 Project 2 Feb 2019-
inspection March 2019
7 Project April 2019
completion
 Manufacture of heat pump
 Working condition of heat pump
 slinky pipes connections to heat pump through valves
 Civil construction Works
 Plumbing works
 Electrical works
 Project inspection
 Project to put under work
Sl Name of Items Company Company Company Company
No. Name 1/ Name 2/ Name 3/ Name ‘ n’/
Price in Rs. Price in Rs. Price in Rs. Price in Rs.

1. HDPE Flexible 1” Pipe 25,000 20,000 23,000

2. Heat pump 3ton, 10kw 1,20,000 2,80,000 4,50,000
3. MCBs, Switch Boards, Electrical 20,000 25,000 28,000
wires, Bulbs, Power Sockets, Exhaust
Fan etc
4. Metallic pipes, U bends, 2&3 way 20,000 22,000 25,000
water valves etc for miscellaneous
connections
5. Digital thermostat temperature 4,000 5,500 6,000
controller

6. A.C ducts 30’ 30,000 40,000 40,000

6. Total cost in Rs 2,19,000 3,92,500 5,72,000
Terms and Condition I. Shipped in 30 I. Shipped in I. Shipped in
days after 30 days after 30 days after
payment payment payment
ii. warranty 00 ii. ii. warranty
products warranty products
iii. ISO products iii. ISO
certified iii. ISO certified
certified
Sl Name of Items Company Company Company Company
No. Name 1/ Name 2/ Name 3/ Name ‘ n’/
Price in Rs. Price in Rs. Price in Rs. Price in Rs.

1. Construction of 8’ x 10 room 1,25,000 1,30,000 1,50,000

2. Excavation of trenches 6’ deep, 5’ 15,000 18,000 20,000

wide, 200’ long-5trenches

Total amount in reupees 1,40,000 1,48,000 1,70,000