Magic Heat Pumps
(Page 5 of 8)
April/May 2005
By Greg Pahl
In locations where groundwater is plentiful, an open-system heat pump design may be your most efficient option. The amount of water required in an open system depends on the size of heat pump, but generally ranges between 5 and 12 gallons per minute when the heat pump is operating. It’s important that the well is capable of producing more than this amount on a steady basis, especially if you use the same well for domestic water.
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Poor water quality can cause serious problems in open systems.on’t use water that contains excessive particles of organic matter, which can quickly clog a heat pump. Have the water tested for acidity, hardness and iron before installation. Your contractor or the equipment manufacturer can tell you what standard of water quality is acceptable. Local zoning or environmental regulations may prohibit open-loop systems — check with your local officials early in the planning process.
In locations where groundwater is not available in sufficient quantities, a closed-loop design may be a better option. Closed-loop systems are subdivided into two categories: vertical and horizontal. In locations with limited yard space, a vertical loop may be the best design. U-shaped loops of special piping are inserted into 6-inch-diameter holes that have been bored 60 to 200 feet deep. The length of the loop depends on your home’s heating and cooling loads, soil conditions, climate and landscaping. For every ton of heat pump capacity, 270 to 350 feet of piping is required. Vertical loops are generally more expensive to install than horizontal loops. In locations with abundant yard space, the horizontal-loop design is more popular. In this strategy, the piping is placed in trenches that are 3 to 6 feet deep. For every ton of heat pump capacity, you’ll need 400 to 600 feet of piping.
Regardless of the design, the piping must be made from a tough, special polyethylene plastic with fused (rather than glued or clamped) joints to ensure they won’t leak. Properly installed piping that meets these specifications should last from 25 to 50 years.
When installation is finished, the backfill material should be carefully tamped to ensure good heat transfer. After installation, plant sod or grass seed to restore the trenches. The output temperature of a ground-source system does not vary significantly from winter to summer because its heat source remains fairly constant year-round. This allows a ground-source heat pump to provide most of the heat required for your home, often with enough extra capacity to provide hot water.
Air-source Heat pumps
The following companies make Energy Star-rated air-source heat pumps:
Amana
(877) 254-4729
www.amana-hac.com
American Standard
www.americanstandardair.com
Armstrong Air
www.armstrongair.com
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