If you are looking for an energy-efficient way to heat your home and have looked at all the different options available such as adding solar panels or wind turbines, you may want to consider learning more about ground source heat pumps and how effective they can be in reducing the amount of energy you use.
What Is a Ground Source Heat Pump?
A ground source heat pump, also commonly known as a geothermal heat pump, is an eco-friendly option for your home’s central heating and cooling system. The basic functions of a geothermal heat pump are based on a complex heat exchange process. Soil accumulates heat that is transferred by the pump. The solar energy that is used to heat the Earth’s crust is absorbed by the upper layer of the ground, which registers a consistent temperature no matter how the weather may be outside. Using a network of underground pipes that work to collect the heat from the soil, the heat is compressed, evaporated, and condensed to be transferred into residential homes.
Should a Borehole Be Drilled Vertically or Horizontally?
Geothermal drilling is a process that is used during the installation of a ground source heat pump. You can have a professional team drill boreholes to depths of as much as 250m. If you are thinking about installing a ground source heating system, you may want to consider the use of vertical boreholes. A vertical borehole can collect heat and operate at a much higher efficiency. Therefore, geothermal boreholes that are drilled in this manner can produce a higher heat yield per metre than those that are drilled horizontally.
Choosing the Best GSHP System Provider for Your Geothermal Heating Needs
If you are interested in geothermal heating and would like to find the right company for the job, be sure to find the one in your area that has the most experience with this new concept. This will help to ensure that your borehole and pipe system have been installed correctly and that you will not have to endure any issues in the future.
Some of the additional services that may be offered by a GSHP drilling service include:
- Professional geothermal borehole drilling.
- Installation of high-quality loops such as the PE100 Thermo-Loop that is pressure-tested.
- High-conductivity geothermal grouting.
- Post-installation pressure and flow testing.
There are several things that you should look for when choosing a company for geothermal work. Always ask for at least three to five references when you call so that you can find out how their systems are currently performing and learn more about the company’s work ethic.
You will also want to find out about all accreditations that the company may have. This will help to guarantee that you will receive quality results. You may want to ask if the company is IGSHPA-accredited. IGSHPA stands for International Ground Source Heat Pump Association and it is the training entity that provides the basic courses on how to install geothermal heating sources. When choosing a company, an accredited installer is good; however, a certified one is best.