GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

Ground source heat pumps work on the same principle as those that use air for heat exchange. The difference being that ground source heat pumps depend on the relatively constant temperatures in the ground below the frost line.

There are two basic types of ground source systems, closed and open loop systems. Closed systems circulate an exchange medium through pipes either buried in trenches or installed in bore holes. Open loop systems run well, pond or lake water through the heat exchanger and then return the water to the body from which it came or, in the case of a well system, the same or another well.

In well supplied open loop systems, water that supplies the heat pump often comes from the same well and pump that supplies water for domestic needs. In these systems the well yield must be capable of supplying both needs simultaneously. If well yield falls below that required to run both systems, plumbing performance suffers when the heat or air conditioning is on.

If the well yield declines over time what can be done when plumbing performance begins to get really poor? And what is to be done if house expansion is in the plans but the well isn't going to be able to handle additional heat or plumbing? There are many choices to deal with the heat but a modern master bath with a custom shower needs water volume and pressure.

A Well Manager installed on the well with storage capable of meeting plumbing peak demand will allow the majority of well yield to be available for the heat pump without affecting performance of the plumbing system.

Even when things get worse, as in a drought, it is possible to carry on when the well yield falls below that necessary to operate the heat pump by increasing storage. Heat pump operation is not constant except when it is very cold or very hot. The Well Manager is a relentless collector while the uses, the plumbing and the heat pump, are intermittent. When you turn the heat back at night and there is no plumbing in use the Well Manager can store water. This type of arrangement along with automatic set back thermostats to lower the heat or raise cooling settings when the building is not occupied will give the collection side of a Well Manager® the time needed to stay ahead of demand.