A Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP)is a device that extracts heat from beneath the ground. It functions based on the fact that heat will flow from higher temperature materials to lower temperature materials by conduction or by convection (air currents). Geothermal pumps absorb energy from the ground or bodies of water to provide space and water heating. This works because the earth absorbs about 50% of the sun's energy that reaches the surface of the planet.
Ground source heating and cooling will give great comfort and be cost-effective with environmentally-friendly technology which uses our planet's ability to store energy as heat. Geothermal heat pump systems move the heat from Earth or from water into buildings, or from buildings right back into Earth. A little bit of electricity is employed for operating fans, pumps, controls, and a little compressor.
GHPs utilize the relatively constant temperature of the ground or water several feet below the surface as a source of heating and cooling and are appropriate for both retrofit or new homes. In addition to space heating and cooling, geothermal heat pumps can provide hot water with virtually no additional energy requirements because GHPs don't create heat; they merely move it from one area to another. This is a relatively new technology that can save homeowners money
Although the initial cost of a new geothermal system is generally more expensive than a traditional heating and cooling system, the extra investment is returned within five to ten years. The ground loop piping is estimated to last over fifty years, and even the internal parts have about a 25 year life span. Every year about 50,000 new geothermal heating systems are added in the United States. They're very reasonable for most areas and can use the Earth for heating when temperatures drop and as a heat sink when it's hot outside.
Many newer housing systems come with desuperheaters which take out warm air from the heat pump's compressor and use it to heat your water. The only downside is that when not using your compressor it will not provide the hot water because it is not running. Some companies are also giving a system with a separate heater during times of non use because the geothermal heating systems are such a money saver and so much more efficient.