By Shane Keegan

Included in presentationIntroductionComponents of a ground source heat pumpTypical ground source heat pumpGrants benefits

Introduction When the sun is present it gives of heat which heats the

earth, this heat is then stored in the earths crust.

GSHP’s (ground source heat pumps) are a system put in place that extracts this heat from the ground to heat a dwelling space or to heat the water in a certain dwelling.

This system is a very useful system as it will help reduce the carbon footprint of that particular dwelling and it will also reduce the heating bill for that dwelling.

GSHP systems are best suited to dwellings that are very well insulated and trap the heat that is given off by the GSHP inside the dwelling.

Ground source heat pumpsThere are three main components of a GSHP,

this includes:

1:The Ground Loop:The ground loop consists of lengths of pipe

buried in the ground. These pipes will be either laid horizontally in trenchs or vertically in boreholes

Also a coil pipe may be used, this will usually be used horizontally in a trenchs.

Coil, ground loop in trench

Ground source heat pumps• This ground loop is more often then not a closed

circuit system.

This sytem will be filled with water and anti-freeze will be added to the water to stop the water freezing if the temprature of the ground drops below freezing.

This mixture is then pumped around the pipe system and absorbs the heat which is stored in the ground.

Ground source heat pumps 2: The Heat Pump

The heat pump consists of three parts:

The evaporator

This is the component of the heat pump which absorbs the heat using the mixture in the ground loop.

The compressor

This component of the heat pump circulates the gaseous refrigerant around the heat pump. It then compresses the gaseous refrigerant to the temperature required for the heat distribution circuit

The condensor

This component of the heat pump provides heat for the hot water tank which then feeds the distribution system.

Ground source heat pumps3: The Heat Distribution System

This is the component of the ground source heat pump that provides heat to the area or space that is to be heated.

This is done through components that can be commonly found in everyday heating systems such as under floor pipes and radiators.

Also the ground source heat pump can be used to heat the dwellings water supply which will provide hot water for the dwelling.

Typical Ground Source Heat Pump System:

Ground source heat pumps:Grants:

As sustainability is a key factor in todays society the SEAI (sustainable energy authority ireland) are providing grants that will help with the installation costs of the GSHP.

Ground source heat pumps:Advantages of GSHP: 

When installed they are hidden from viewWill reduces CO2 emissions Will help reduce heating billsBetter for the environment