NOTE on ECONOMICS of GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS in UPSTATE NY, Area Codes 607
and 315: If you have low (under 11 cents per kw-hr) electric rates and high oil
or propane bills, Ground Source or Geothermal heat pumps (GSHP) might be a good
investment for you $16,000 to $23,000 (more for homes over 3000 sq ft). Some
regions in rural parts of NY have electric cooperatives (REA) with electric
rates roughly half those of the investor owned Utilities like NYSEG and National
Grid. Rural areas also have land available for loop fields to gather heat.
Therefore, if you are a customer of an electric cooperative you should consider GSHP because the operating cost compared to Propane or Oil for heating should be
relatively low. If you already heat with Natural Gas the economics of switching
to Geothermal are minimal unless you have less than 7 cent per kilowatt hour
electric rates and air conditioning in summer is of primary concern for you. If
you are a residential customer of an investor owned Utility with high electric
rates, combining Solar Electric PV.htm and GSHP systems
may make some economic sense (subject to case by case examination). This is
because we have net metering in NY. If you
have high electric rates the solar PV system can pay you back at the same high
rates. The PV system would in effect provide some of the energy to power your
GSHP system.
NOTES on HEAT SOURCES and EFFICIENCY: Good sources of heat for the system
to work effectively are either 1/2 acre space for horizontal ground loops, a 10
foot or deeper pond or a well with high quality water and at least 12 gpm or
better recovery rate. In addition you must have a well insulated fully
weatherized home (to at least NY energy code standards). Heat pumps don't work
well in drafty poorly insulated homes. Please consider upgrading your insulation
and weatherization before inquiring about GSHPs. Our site survey fee is
$150 if you are within 2 hours drive from our location. This fee is refundable
upon purchase of a system. Site survey is required for a price quote. If you are
more than 1 hour from our location the fee increases by $50 per additional hour
and the additional fee is not refundable.
DUE TO increased demand for all our energy systems, we are
now serving only the following New York State Counties for Geothermal Heat Pump
installations: Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Madison and Herkimer south of the
Mohawk River. Other Locations will be considered on a case by case basis.
We are also restricting our GSHP site surveys and quotes to sites with at least
the minimum qualifications in the notes above. If you are interested in a
career in selling, designing, installing and servicing Ground Source heat pumps
and solar thermal systems we ARE interested in talking with you.
Check our careers page for more info. Engineering or
technical background required.
Ground-source heat pumps Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Last updated 9/5/05 . See pictures below.
- In New York, more than 7,000 homes and businesses are being heated
and cooled by a system that bridges the gap between high technology and
affordable energy efficiency-the ground-source heat pump sometimes called a
Geothermal Heat Pump. Consumers are searching for better ways to get more out
of their energy dollar. Many have found the ground-source heat pump can help.
we are fully IGSHPA certified installers .
- To learn about IGSHPA, ground
source heat pump news and events
The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) is a
non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of geothermal heat pump (GHP)
technology on local, state, national, and international levels. IGSHPA fulfills
its mission by:
conducting research in GHP technology organizing two GHP conferences
annually offering a wide variety of GHP training advising government agencies
and utilities informing consumers producing educational and marketing materials
providing a valuable link among government agencies, research institutions,
manufacturers, utilities, dealers, contractors, and installers
IGSHPA is based on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater,
OK, where GHP technology was developed.
For more information call 315-696-6100
This on-line pamphlet was developed as a guide to introduce you to this
technology. Using a question and answer format, we've tried to provide you with
the information many consumers have sought about ground-source heat pumps.
Horizontal "Slinky" loops 4' to 6' down. ---HydroHeat Megatek Dual
compressor unit.
Q: What is a ground-source heat pump?
A: A ground-source heat pump is an electrically-powered motor driven
refrigeration device that uses the natural heat storage ability of the earth
and/or the earth's ground water to heat and cool your home or business.
Q: How does it work?
A: Like any type of heat pump, it simply moves heat energy from one place to
another. Your refrigerator works using the same scientific principle. (See
mechanics of the heat pump process on page 3.) By using the refrigeration
process, ground source heat pumps remove heat energy stored in the earth and/or
ground water and transfer it to the home.
Q: How is heat transferred between the earth and home ?
A: The earth has the ability to absorb and store heat energy. Heat is extracted
from the earth through a liquid medium (ground water or an anti-freeze solution)
and is pumped through an heat exchanger inside the heat pump. There, the heat is
elevated by a cycle of compression and evaporation of a refrigerant to heat your
home. In summer the process is reversed and indoor heat is extracted from your
home and transferred to the earth through the liquid.
Q: You mentioned heating and cooling. Does it do both?
A: One of the things that makes a heat pump so versatile is its ability to be a
heating and cooling system in one. You can change from one mode to another with
a simple flick of a switch on your indoor thermostat (this switchover can be
optionally automated). In the cooling mode, a ground-source heat pump takes heat
from indoors and transfers it to the cooler earth through either ground water or
an underground loop system.
Q: Do I need separate ground loops for heating and cooling?
A: No. The same loop works for both. All that happens when changing from heating
to cooling, or vice versa, is the flow of heat is reversed.
Q: What types of loops are available?
A: There are two main types: open and closed. The next two sections will give
you specifics about each.
Q: Does the underground pipe system really work?
A: The buried pipe, or "ground loop," is the most recent technical advancement
in heat pump technology. The idea to bury pipe in the ground to gather heat
energy began in the 1940's. But it's only been in the last 10 years that new
heat pump designs and improved pipe materials have been combined to make
ground-source heat pumps the most efficient heating and cooling systems
available.
Pond loops heat
exchanger before sinking to the bottom. If you have a pond close to the house.
Consider it for the loops.
Mechanics of the system
What are the mechanics of the heat pump process?
A: Anyone who has a refrigerator or an air conditioner has witnessed the
operation of a heat pump, even though the term heat pump may not be familiar.
These machines, rather than making heat, take existing heat and move it from a
lower temperature location to a higher temperature location (hence the term heat
"pump"). Refrigerators and air conditioners are heat pumps which remove heat
from colder interior spaces to warmer exterior spaces for cooling purposes. Heat
pumps also move heat from a low-temperature source to a high-temperature space
for heating. An air-source heat pump, for example, extracts heat from outdoor
air and pumps it indoors ground-source heat pump works the same way, except that
its heat source is the warmer warmth of the earth. The process of elevating
low-temperature heat to over 100 degrees F and transferring it indoors involves
a cycle of evaporation, compression, condensation and expansion. A refrigerant,
usually R-22 refrigerant, is used as the heat-transfer medium which circulates
within the heat pump. The cycle starts as the cold, liquid refrigerant passes
through a heat exchanger (evaporator) and absorbs heat from the low-temperature
source (liquid from the ground loop). The refrigerant evaporates into as heat is
absorbed- the gaseous refrigerant then passes through an electric compressor
where the refrigerant is pressurized, raising the temperature to over 180
degrees f. The hot gas then circulates through a refrigerant-to-air heat
exchanger where heat is removed and pumped into the home at about 110 degrees F.
When it loses the heat, the refrigerant changes back to a liquid. The liquid is
cooled as it passes through an expansion valve and begins the process over. To
become an air conditioner, the flow is reversed.
Closed loop system
Q: What is a closed-loop system?
A: The term "closed-loop" is used to describe a ground-source heat pump system
that uses a continuous loop of special buried plastic pipe as a heat exchanger.
The pipe is connected to the indoor heat pump to form a sealed, underground loop
through which an antifreeze solution is circulated. Unlike an open-loop system
that consumes water from a well, a closed-loop system recirculates it's heat
transferring solution in pressurized pipe.
Q: Where can this loop be located?
A: That depends on land availability and terrain. Most closed-loops are trenched
horizontally in yards adjacent to the home. But any area near a home or business
with appropriate soil conditions and adequate square footage will work.
Q: How deep and long will my trenches be?
A: Trenches are normally four feet deep and up to 125 feet long with one trench
for each "ton" (12,000 btu/hr) of heat pump capacity. One of the advantages of a
horizontal loop system is being able to lay the trenches according to the shape
OT the land. As a rule of thumb, 500 feet of pipe are required per ton of heat
pump capacity. A well insulated, 2,000 square foot home would need about a 3 to
3 1/2 ton system with 1,500 feet of pipe.
Q: How many pipes are in a trench?
A: Normally, one 500 foot coil of pipe is made into an extended "slinky" is laid
flat in the bottom of the 3 foot wide trench then covered with soil or sand this
allows more length of pipe to be put in a shorter trench saving space and cost
and has no adverse affect on system efficiency.
Q: What if I don't have enough room for a horizontal loop?
A: Closed-loop systems can also be vertical. Holes are bored to about 125-150
feet per ton of heat pump capacity. U-shaped loops of pipe are inserted into the
well and backfilled with a sealing solution called grout.
Q: How long will the loop pipe last?
A: Closed-loop systems should only be installed using high-density geothermal
rated polyethylene pipe. Properly installed, these pipes will last 75 to 100
years. In fact most manufacturers guarantee their loops for 50 to 55 years. This
pipe material is inert to chemicals normally found in soil and has good heat
conducting properties. Pvc pipe should not be used under any circumstances in
the ground.
Q: How are the pipe sections of the loop joined?
A: The only acceptable method to connect pipe sections is by thermal fusion.
Pipe connections are heated and fused together to form a joint stronger than the
original pipe. Mechanical joining of pipe for an earth loop is never an accepted
practice. The use of barbed fittings, clamps and glued joints underground is
certain to result in loop failure due to leaks.
Q: Will an earth loop affect my lawn or landscape?
A: No. Research has proven that loops have no adverse affect on grass, trees or
shrubs. Most horizontal loop installations use trenches about 3 feet wide. This,
of course, will leave temporary bare areas that can be restored with grass seed
or sod vertical loops require little space and result in minimal lawn damage.
Q: Can I reclaim heat from my septic system disposal field?
A: No. An earth loop will reach temperatures below freezing during extreme
conditions. This may stop the digestion process and the New York state board of
health prohibits such uses.
Q: If the loop falls below freezing, will it hurt the system?
A: No, the antifreeze solution in the loop will keep it from freezing down to
about 20 degrees F. In fact, additional heat is available from the phase change
of water into ice of ground moisture. In New York, three types of antifreeze
solution are acceptable: GS-4, calcium chloride and methyl alcohol.
Q: Can I install an earth loop myself?
A: It's not recommended. In addition to thermal fusion of the pipe, good
earth-to-coil contact is very important for successful loop operation.
Nonprofessional installations may result in less than optimum heat pump
performance. Thermal fusion should be done by personnel certified in the process
in order to ensure leak free joints. Most closed-loop systems use trenched-in
pipe as a heat source.
Q: I have a pond near my home. Can I put a loop in it?
A: Yes, if it's deep enough and large enough. A minimum of ten feet in depth at
its lowest level during the year is needed for a pond to be considered. In pond
loops copper, polyethylene or polybutylene pipe can be used.
Open loop systems:
Q: What is an open-loop system?
A: The term "open-loop" is commonly used to describe ground-source heat pump
system that uses ground water from conventional well as a heat source. The
ground water is pumped into the heat pump unit where heat is extracted, then the
water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. Since ground water in New York is
a relatively constant 48 to 53 degrees F all year, it is an excellent heat
source.
Q: What do I do with the discharge water?
A: there are a number of ways to dispose of water after it has passed through
the heat pump. The open discharge method is the easiest and least expensive.
Open discharge simply involves releasing the water into a stream, river, lake,
pond, ditch or drainage tile. Obviously one of these alternatives must be
readily available and must possess the capacity to accept the amount of water
used by the heat pump before open discharge is feasible. A second means of water
discharge is the return well. A return well is a second well that returns the
water to the ground aquifer. A return well must have enough capacity to dispose
of the water passed through the heat pump. A new return well should be installed
by a qualified well driller. Likewise, a professional should test the capacity
of an existing well before it is used as a return.
Q: How much ground water does an open-loop system need?
A: Ground-source heat pumps used in open-loop systems need differing amounts of
water depending on the size of the unit and the manufacturer's specifications.
The water requirement of a specific model is usually expressed in gallons per
minute (G.P.M.) And is listed in the specifications for that unit. Your heating
contractor should be able to provide this information. Generally, the average
system will use 4 to 12 G.P.M. while operating. An extremely cold day might
result in a usage of 4,000-10,000 gallons of water. Your well and pump
combination should be large enough to supply the water needed by the heat pump
in addition to your domestic water requirements. You will probably need to
enlarge your pressure tank or modify your plumbing to supply adequate water to
the heat pump.
Q: What problems can be caused by poor water quantity?
A: Poor water quality can cause serious problems in open-loop systems. Your
water should be tested for hardness, acidity and iron content before a heat pump
is installed. Your dealer or equipment manufacturer can tell you what level of
water quality is acceptable. Our heat pumps are available with Cupro-nickle heat
exchangers for corrosive water situations. Mineral deposits can build up inside
the heat pump's heat exchanger. Sometimes a periodic cleaning with a mild acid
solution is all that's needed to remove the buildup. Impurities, particularity
iron, can eventually clog a return well. If your water has a high iron content
you should be sure that the discharge water is not aerated before it's injected
into a return well.
Finally, you should opt against using water from a spring, pond, lake or
river as a source for your heat pump system unless it's proven to be free of
excessive particles and organic matter. They can clog a heat pump system and
make it inoperable in a short time.
Q: Does an open loop system cause environmental damage?
A: No. They are pollution free. The heat pump merely removes heat from or adds
heat to the water. No pollutants are added whatsoever. The only change in the
water returned to the environment is as light increase or decrease in
temperature. Some people are concerned that open-loop systems contribute to the
depletion of our ground water resources. This issue is not critical in most
parts of New York because of abundant supplies of groundwater.
Q: Are there any laws that apply to open-loop installations?
A: In some localities, all or parts of the installation may be subject to local
ordinances, codes, covenants or licensing requirements. Check with local
authorities to determine if any restrictions apply in your area.
Q: What are the components of a ground-source heat pump system?
A: The three main parts are the heat-pump system, the liquid heat exchange
medium (open or closed loop), and the delivery system. Most systems heat and
cool air and use ductwork. Some of our systems heat and cool water for
distributing heat into hydronic radiant floors (concrete or wood) and fan coils
for cooling.
Q: Are all ground-source heat pumps alike?
A: No there are different kinds of ground-source heat pumps designed for
specific applications. Many ground-source heat pumps, for example, are intended
for use only with higher temperature ground water encountered in open-loop
systems. Others will operate at entering water temperatures as low as 25 degrees
F which are possible in closed-loop systems. Most ground-source heat pumps
provide summer air conditioning, but a few are designed only for winter heating.
Sometimes these heating-only systems incorporate a ground water cooled coil that
can provide cooling in moderate climates. Ground-source heat pumps can also
differ in the way they are designed. Self contained units combine the blower,
compressor, heat exchanger and coil in a single cabinet. Split systems allow the
coil to be added to a forced air furnace and utilize the existing blower.
Q: Will I have to add insulation to my home if I install one of these
systems?
A: ground-source heat pumps will reduce your cooling costs regardless of how
well your home is insulated. However, insulating and weatherizing are key
factors in realizing the most savings from any type of heating system. The
illustration below shows typical insulating standards suggested by many electric
utilities. You may wish to ask your utility for recommendations for your home.
No matter what energy source with which you heat your home insulation is a very
good investment.
Q: Can a ground-source heat pump also heat water for my home?
A: Yes. Using what's called a dhw condenser, some types of ground-source heat
pumps can save you up to 65 percent on your water heating bill by heating tank
water. DHW condensers are standard on some units, optional on others.
Q: Is a ground-source heat pump difficult to install?
A: Most units are easy to install, especially when they are replacing another
forced-air system. They can be installed in areas unsuitable for fossil fuel
furnaces because there is no combustion, thus, no need to vent exhaust gases.
Ductwork, fan coils or radiant floor tubing must be installed in homes that
don't have an existing distribution system. The difficulty of installing
ductwork or radiant floors will vary and should be assessed by a contractor.
Q: Can a ground-source heat pump be added to my fossil fuel furnace?
A: Split systems can easily be added to existing furnaces for those wishing to
have a dual-fuel heating system. Dual-fuel systems use the heat pump as the main
heating source and a fossil fuel furnace as a supplement in extremely cold
weather if additional heat is needed.
Q I have ductwork, but will it work with this system?
A: In all probability, yes. Your dealer should be able to determine ductwork
requirements and any minor modifications, if needed.
Q: Do I need to increase the size of my electric service?
A: Ground-source heat pumps don't use large amounts of resistance heat, so your
existing service may be adequate. Generally, a 200 ampere service will have
enough capacity, and smaller amp services maybe large enough in some cases. Your
electric utility or contractor can determine your service needs.
Q: Should I buy a heat pump large enough to heat my home with no
supplemental heat?
A: Great Brook Enterprises shall do a heating and cooling load calculation (heat
loss, heat gain) to guide in equipment selection (copy available on request).
Most ground-source heat pumps are sized to meet your heating requirements to an
outdoor temperature of about 0 to 10 degrees F. For sustained temperatures below
that point, some supplemental heat probably will be needed. Sizing the heat pump
to handle your entire heating need may result in slightly lower heating costs,
but the savings may not offset the added cost of the larger heat-pump unit.
Also, an oversized unit can cause dehumidification problems in the cooling mode,
resulting in a loss of summer comfort.
Q: Do ground-source heat pumps have outdoor units?
A: No. The equipment goes inside your home, usually in the basement, garage or
crawl space. Because it's indoors and water is a better heat transfer media than
air, the life spans of the compressor and major components are greatly extended,
most having a lifespan of 20 years or more.
Q: How efficient is a ground-source heat pump?
A: they are more than three times as efficient as the most efficient fossil fuel
furnace. Instead of burning a combustible to make heat, they simply move heat
that already exists doing that, they provide at least three units of energy for
every one used to power the heat-pump system.
Q: What does a system like this cost?
A: A system for the typical New York home will cost slightly more than if you
bought a separate furnace and central air-conditioning system. But you wouldn't
really be comparing apples to apples. To accurate comparison of costs you need
to consider the following: Payback, or how long it takes to recover the
difference in costs between the two systems using energy savings. Payback for
most ground-source heat-pump systems runs two to six years. Another way to look
at payback is at its inverse which is the return on investment. With the return
on investment you can compare the additional investment in the system with other
investments such as CD's, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, etc. If the ground
source system yields a higher rate of return on the investment then it is worth
considering. Energy efficiency of the two systems. To get an accurate picture,
make sure efficiency claims are substantiated. Your lifestyle and how well your
home is insulated affect how economical a system will be. Total operating
savings from heating, cooling and domestic hot water must be combined to get an
accurate picture of total energy savings. Energy costs and availability of fuel,
both in the present and the future.
Maintenance costs and system reliability. System lifespan.
Q: What about comfort?
A: A ground source heat pump system moves warm air (90 degrees to 105 degrees)
or warm water (100 to 125 degrees) through out your home via a standard duct
network or hydronic system. Typically, a very even comfort level is found
through out the home. This is because the warm air is moved in slightly higher
volumes and, therefore, saturates the home with warmth more evenly. This helps
even out hot or cold spots and eliminates the cold air and hot air blasts common
with fossil fuel furnaces. It's also a great comfort to know that you've reduced
your energy consumption while using an inexhaustible energy source, the earth.
Q: Which system is best, open or closed loop?
A: The net results in operating cost and efficiency are virtually the same.
Which system you choose depends on whether you have an adequate ground water
supply and a means of disposal. If you do, an open system can be used
effectively. If not, either a horizontal or vertical closed loop system is your
best choice. Over a period of time the closed loop system offers less
maintenance because it is sealed and pressurized, eliminating any possible build
up of mineral deposits.
Questions you should ask about a new heating system:
Regardless of the type of heating system you may be considering for your
home or business, there are specific questions you should ask the dealer
installer. These questions deal with finding out the actual efficiency of the
system, any operating limitations it may have, and the bottom line of operating
costs. The answers here are meant as a guide for what you should try to find out
with your questions.
Q: what is the Btu size of the furnace that's being proposed?
A: Furnaces are designed to provide specific amounts of heat energy per hour.
The term "Btuh" refers to how much heat can be produced by the unit in an hour.
Before you can know what size furnace you'll need, you must have a heat loss
heat gain calculation done on your home. From that, an accurate determination
can be made on the size of the heating system you'll need. Most fossil fuel
furnaces are substantially oversized for home heating requirements, resulting in
increased operating cost.
Q: Is the efficiency rating actual or just a manufacturer's average?
A: All types of heating and cooling systems have a rated efficiency. Fossil fuel
furnaces have a percentage efficiency rating. Natural gas, propane and fuel oil
furnaces have efficiency ratings based on laboratory conditions. To get an
accurate installed efficiency rating, factors such as flue gas heat losses,
cycling losses caused by oversizing, blower fan electrical usage, etc., must be
included. ground-source heat pumps, as well as all other types of heat Pumps,
have efficiencies rated according to their coefficient of performance or COP.
It's a ratio of how much energy the system produces versus how much it uses.
Most ground-source heat pump systems have COPs of 3.O-4.0. That means for every
one unit of energy used to power the system, two and one-half to three and
one-half units are supplied as heat. Where a fossil fuel furnace maybe 50 to 90
percent efficient, a ground-source heat pump is about 3OO percent efficient.
Some ground-source heat pump manufacturers and electric utilities use computers
to accurately determine the operating efficiency of a system for your home.
Q: Will the minimum entering water temperature have an affect on which
heat pump I buy?
A: if you have an open-loop system your entering water temperatures (EWTs) will
rarely fall below 5O degrees F- Almost all ground-source heat pumps will operate
efficiently at those temperatures. A closed-loop system, on the other hand, will
encounter EWTs below freezing. And not all ground-source heat pumps will operate
at those low EWTs it's important to know what EWTs your heat pump will handle
Q: Are the dealer and loop installers qualified?
A : Don't be afraid to ask for references from dealers. A reputable dealer won't
hesitate to give you names and numbers to call to confirm his capabilities the
same with the loop installer.
Q: Will open or closed loop be best for you?: That depends on several
factors, as stated earlier, Great Brook Enterprises is willing to install what's
best for you not just for us.
A: Will the loop joints be heat fused? : The only acceptable method for joining
sections of the special pipe used for closed-loop systems is heat fusion, any
other method will eventually result in failure of the loop.
Q: How long is the payback period for your ground-source heat pump system?
A: To figure the- accurately, you must know how much per year you will save in
energy costs with a ground-source system and the difference in costs between it
and a conventional heating system and central air conditioner. As an example if
you'll save $700 per year with a ground-source system and the cost difference is
$2,000, your payback will be less than three years.
Q: If I want to know more about ground-source heat pump systems, whom
should I contact?
A: Geotherm International 315-696-6100
Glossary
Btu "British Thermal Unit":
The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature Of one pound of water one
degree Fahrenheit. Btu is used to signify the heating and cooling capacity of a
system and the heat losses and gains of buildings and homes
Btuh.
The number of BTUs produced in one hour-
Closed loop heat pump system.
A heat pump system that uses a loop of buried plastic pipe as a heat exchanger-
loops can be horizontal or vertical.
COP l Coefficient of Performance l:
The ratio of heating or cooling provided by a heat pump (or other refrigeration
machine) to the energy consumed by the system under designated operating
conditions- The higher the COP, the more efficient the system.
Compressor:
The central part of a heat Pump system. The compressor increases the pressure
and temperature Of the refrigerant (usually Freon) and simultaneously reduces
its volume while causing the refrigerant to move through the system.
Condenser A heat exchanger in which hot, pressurized (gaseous) refrigerant is
condensed by transferring heat to cooler surrounding air, water or earth-
Cycling losses:
The actual efficiency of a heating or cooling system is reduced due to start-up
and shut-down losses, oversizing a heating or cooling system increases cycling
losses.
Desuperheater:
A device for recovering superheat from A device for recovering superheat from
the compressor discharge gas of a heat pump or central air conditioner for use
in heating or preheating water-
fossil fuel:
Any of several types of combustible fuels formed from the decomposition of
organic matter. Examples are natural gas, propane, fuel oil, and coal.
ground-source heat pump:
A heat pump that uses the earth as heat source and heat sink.
Heat exchanger:
A device designed to transfer heat between two physically separated fluids or
mediums of different temperatures.
Heat pump: A
mechanical device used for heating and cooling which operates by pumping heat
from a cooler to a warmer location. Heat pumps can extract heat from air, water,
or the earth. They are classified as either air-source or ground source units.
Heat sink:
The medium air, water or earth which receives heat rejected from a heat pump.
Heat source:
The medium air, water, earth or solar from which heat is extracted by a heat
pump.
Open-loop heat Pump system: A
heat pump system that uses ground water from a well or surface water from a well
or surface water from a lake, pond, or river as a heat source. The water is
returned to the environment.
Payback:
A method of calculating how long it will take to recover the difference in costs
of two different heating and cooling systems by using the energy and maintenance
cost savings from the more efficient system.
Supplemental heating:
Otherwise known as backup heating. A heating system used during extremely cold
weather when additional heat is needed to moderate indoor temperatures. May be
in the form of fossil fuel or electric resistance.
Return on investment:
The energy savings in dollars divided by the extra investment over and
above another heating system that would not save as much energy. This is a
useful figure for comparing the energy saving investment with other investments
such as a money market or bank account.
To go back to: The Renewable Energy Information Station
Great Brook Enterprises,
819 County Rd 28
South New Berlin, NY 13843
phone 607-847-6366
FAX 607-847-9253 (9 to 6 E.T. M-F only)
email davenrgman @ awesomesonsolar .com
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