Posted ByEugeneFor those of you who are new to the subject, geothermal maasoojuspumbad (heat pump) is a method that utilizes ground temperature to provide heating or cooling. It takes advantage of the fact that the earth has an average temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13.9 Celsius). The process involves drilling holes in the ground and inserting pipes filled with a refrigerant through these holes. Once they reach the desired depth, the refrigerant is released into a network of tubes which run through the ground, allowing it to transfer its energy directly to your home.
The concept isn’t entirely new. In 1908, a man by the name of William E. Gilliland came up with the idea of using a heat pump to create electricity from the heat generated by the Earth’s core. He was unable to get anyone interested in his invention until the 1930s when he applied for a patent for the idea. But despite his efforts, no one took him seriously at first because it sounded too much like science fiction.
But as time went on, Gilliland’s ideas were taken more seriously and began to gain popularity. Today there are over 100,000 homes around the world that use this technology to provide their occupants with heating and cooling. Geothermal heat pumps can also be used to provide renewable energy.
How Does a Geothermal Heat Pump Work?
When it comes to geothermal heat pumps, the basic principle remains the same regardless of whether the system is being used for heating or cooling. This kind of system uses a closed loop process where the natural heat of the Earth is transferred to a liquid that runs through a series of tubes. The liquid then flows back to the surface of the Earth and circulates back through the same set of tubes in order to cool down. As the liquid moves back down to the Earth’s surface, it absorbs energy and becomes heated again. When the liquid returns to the top of the tubes, it transfers that heat to whatever building or room the system is located in. In some cases, the system can also use this process to generate renewable power.
As the liquid heats up, it releases latent heat which means that it turns into vapor and rises out of the tubes. This vapor is forced into a compressor where it gets compressed and turned into a gas which is then routed through a condenser coil. At the other end of the condenser coil, the gas is cooled down while it loses its energy. Then it passes through a turbine before moving back to the liquid state once again.
The liquid then goes through another set of tubes and moves back down to the Earth’s surface. As it cools down, it absorbs energy and turns into vapor once again. It is then forced into a second compressor where it gets compressed and turned into a gas. Then, it travels through another condenser coil which is connected to another set of tubes. The hot gas is then sent through another turbine, which spins a fan that blows air over the condenser coil. This keeps the coils cool and prevents them from overheating.
This whole process happens continuously and allows the machine to provide heating and cooling all year round. And since this process doesn’t rely on fossil fuels or any other type of non-renewable energy source, it helps to limit the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere.
Advantages of Using Geothermal Heat Pumps
One of the biggest advantages of geothermal heat pumps is that they offer a very efficient way to provide heating and cooling. They use 80% less energy than traditional systems and only require half the amount of maintenance. And unlike conventional heating and cooling systems, geothermal heat pumps do not emit harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide.
Another benefit is that they don’t need to use additional fuel such as propane or oil. Instead, they use the heat produced naturally by the Earth itself. So if you live somewhere that experiences cold winters, you won’t have to worry about having to add extra fuel to keep your home warm. And if your area experiences hot summers, you won’t have to worry about wasting money buying expensive air conditioning units to cool off your home.
And even though geothermal heat pumps are fairly new, they are becoming increasingly popular throughout the world. Since they are so efficient and cost effective, many people are now turning away from traditional methods and turning towards this alternative.
Disadvantages of Using Geothermal Heat Pumps
Like any other form of heating and cooling system, geothermal heat pumps also come with their own drawbacks. One of the most common problems is leaks. Because of the way the process works, water can enter between the tubes and cause damage to the system. In addition, the machines must be installed properly in order to prevent damage to the surrounding environment. And just like any other type of machinery, they can become damaged easily if they aren’t handled properly.
Another downside is that, due to the underground nature of the method, it can be hard to install. If the hole is drilled improperly, it could leak and cause irreparable damage. But even if the installation is done correctly, the homeowner may still experience some difficulties. For example, the system might be located in a place where there’s a lot of traffic. Or perhaps the area is prone to flooding. These factors may make it more difficult to maintain the equipment without causing further damage.
But overall, geothermal heat pumps are very reliable and highly efficient. In addition, they are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of heating and cooling systems. This makes them especially appealing to homeowners who want to cut their carbon footprint and help protect the environment.
So what kind of heat pump would you choose? Well, you could go with one that provides both heating and cooling. Or you could opt for a geothermal system that generates renewable energy. It really depends on how you plan to use the system.