According to jack Leary of KW Management inc. of Nashua New Hampshire, fossil-fuel demands have been wagging the world economy for over fifty years. Our nation is slipping into economic hardship: our lack of energy independence threatens our national security. Around the world global warming is a top priority. Reducing the pollution caused by fossil fuel contaminates is everyone’s responsibility.
Renewable energy shines down upon us. The ground absorbs forty seven percent of the suns energy that reaches earth. This amount of energy represents five hundred times more than mankind needs every year- a scientific fact. In his column Leary discusses renewable energy as it pertains to geothermal heat pumps. He asserts that installing a geothermal heat pump in one home is equivalent, in greenhouse gas reduction to planting an acre of trees or taking two automobiles off the road. Geothermal heat pumps are not only environmentally friendly, you can expect to save over sixty percent on energy costs when compared to conventional fossil fuel systems. Geothermal systems can be installed in new or existing homes both large and small, and offers excellent performance in home heating, domestic hot water, and pool heating, in both residential and commercial applications. Instead of using oil or gas to heat water, a geothermal heat pump uses a device called a heat exchanger, which extracts heat in water pumped from the ground. Ground water below four feet is naturally at a constant temperature of fifty degrees. The heat exchanger can take this stored energy and convert it to heating water which is than circulated through the house at temperatures up to 100 degrees.
Some frequently asked questions:
Q: How efficient is a geothermal heat pump?
A: Highly efficient systems use a small amount of energy to capture and move a large amount of energy stored in the ground. This source is clean, renewable and free. The efficiency for a heat pump is typically between 350% to 450%.
Q: How do geothermal heat pumps extract energy from the ground?
A: Through earth loops, the heart of a geothermal system. Earth loops come in two basic types: closed loops that transfer heat by circulating a food grade, environmentally friendly solution; and open loops that use ground water pumped from a well as a heat source.
Q: How should I make the decision between an open loop or a closed loop system?
A: Open loops systems use your existing well, reducing upfront costs. However; open loops systems have higher life cycle costs driven by the additional electricity required to run a larger pump, the corrosion minerals have on the heat exchanger and the need to flush the heat pump periodically. Open loop systems also necessitate the bleeding of thousands of gallons of well water capacity during peak weather conditions.
KW Management installs both system designs; however, they initially recommend closed loop systems. Closed systems are completely independent from your water-well. Although requiring higher upfront cost, they have significantly lower life cycle costs and require no additional maintenance except for an occasional filter change.
Q: How long will the earth loop last?
A: Closed loop systems are made using extraordinary high-density polyethylene pipe. This pipe will not rust, rot or corrode, and is inert to chemicals normally found in soil. All joints are thermally sealed and guaranteed for fifty years. Actual life expectancy of the pipe is over two hundred years.
Geothermal systems provide clean, efficient, energy savings year round. They are quiet, pollution free and have no impact on the environment. Jack Leary of KW Management is located in New Hampshire and can be reached at 603-598-0181.
Edward Beauchemin is president of Beauchemin Designs Inc., They specialize in the design and construction of new homes, additions and extreme makeovers They provide reliable service at reasonable prices. Based in Woonsocket, R.I. (above Beauchemin Lumber). They can be reached at 401-766-1540. Or [email protected]