Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pumps

The parts of the simple geothermal energy system

Ground source heat pumps heat pumps have basically only three parts:

1. The ground source heat exchanger which is a system of pipes called a loop, which is buried in the shallow ground near the house.

2. The geothermal heat pump unit, which, like a furnace, pumps the hot or cooled air into the...

3. ...air delivery system, which is made up of your existing ductwork.

The heat exchanger (or pipes) are filled with fluid (depending where you live either water or a mixture of water and antifreeze) which circulates through the pipes to absorb heat or "exchange" it back into the ground. 

As you can see, ground source heat pumps can bring natural geothermal heating and cooling to your home through a system as simple as the science they are based on. If you are in the United States, geothermal heating systems are practical, available, and effective almost anywhere.

Your geothermal heating system installer can tell you how much it will cost to install a ground source heat pump system at your house, and the price will often reflect the costs associated with parts 1 and 3 above. The cost of laying the pipe can depend in things like how much ledge there is and how deep they need to go, but it is usually not expensive. The cost of adding to your ductwork is often minimal, but can be more expensive if your house is older.

Good luck on your journey toward getting ground source heat and cooling.  Geothermal heating for your home is less expensive and easier than you probably imagined!