Heat Pumps

Ground Source

Geothermal Heat Pumps are the most efficient way to heat or cool your home, achieving an efficiency of over 300%. Here are some interesting facts regarding Ground Source Heat Pumps. Like other forms of electric heat, Dakota Energy offers customers rebates and special rates for installing heat pumps.

Ground source heat pump brochure

Four basic types of geothermal energy sources:

Horizontal loops are often considered when adequate land surface is available. Pipes are placed in trenches, in lengths that range from 100 to 400 feet.
Vertical loops are the ideal choice when available land surface is limited. Drilling equipment is used to bore small-diameter holes from 75 to 300 feet deep.
Pond (lake) loops are very economical to install when a body of water is available, because excavation costs are virtually eliminated. Coils of pipe are simply placed on the bottom of the pond or lake.
Open loop systems are the fourth type and utilize ground water as a direct energy source. In ideal conditions, an open loop application can be the most economical type of geothermal system.

Ground Source Heat Pump Heating and Cooling Systems: Fascinating Facts

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified geothermal heat pumps as a technology that significantly reduces greenhouse gas and other air emissions associated with heating, cooling and water heating residential buildings, while saving consumers money, compared to conventional technologies.* For every 100,000 units of typically sized residential geothermal heat pumps installed, more than 37.5 trillion Btu's of energy used for space conditioning and water heating can be saved, corresponding to an emissions reduction of about 2.18 million metric tons of carbon equivalents, and cost savings to consumers of about $750 million over the 20-year-life of the equipment.
Geothermal heat pump systems, also known as Geothermal, are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available, according to the EPA.1
Geothermal heat pumps strengthen U.S. energy security. Every100,000 homes with geothermal heat pump systems reduce foreign oil consumption by 2.15 million barrels annually and reduce electricity consumption by 799 million kilowatt hours annually.
Geothermal heat pumps are efficient. The use of Geothermal lowers electricity demand by approximately 1 kW per ton of capacity.
Geothermal heat pumps are environmental. They generate no on site emissions and have the lowest emissions among all heating and cooling technologies.*
Geothermal heat pumps save money. Schools now using geothermal heat pump systems save more than $25 million in energy costs – meaning more money for books, equipment and teachers. Homeowners can save 25-50% on home electric bills compared to conventional heating and cooling systems. Electric bills for a 2,000 sq. ft. home can be reduced to as low as $1 a day, using a Geothermal system.
Geothermal systems represent a savings to homeowners of 30 to 70% in the heating mode, and 20 to 50% in the cooling mode compared to conventional systems.
EPA found that Geothermal heating and cooling systems can reduce energy consumption--and corresponding emissions--by over 40% compared to air source heat pumps and by over 70% compared to electric resistance heating with standard air-conditioning equipment.
Geothermal systems use the Earth's energy storage capability to heat and cool buildings, and to provide hot water. The earth is a huge energy storage device that absorbs 47% of the sun's energy -- more than 500 times more energy than mankind needs every year -- in the form of clean, renewable energy. Geothermal systems take this heat during the heating season at an efficiency approaching or exceeding 400%, and return it during the cooling season.
EPA found that, even on a source fuel basis -- accounting for ALL losses in the fuel cycle including electricity generation at power plants -- Geothermal systems are much more efficient than competing fuel technologies. They are an average of 48% more efficient than the best gas furnaces on a source fuel basis, and over 75% more efficient than oil furnaces. In fact, today's best geothermal systems outperform the best gas technology, gas heat pumps, by an average of 36% in heating mode and 43% in cooling mode!
The U.S. General Accounting Office estimates that if geothermal systems were installed nationwide, they could save several billion dollars annually in energy costs and substantially reduce pollution. **
Surveys by utilities indicate a higher level of consumer satisfaction for geothermal systems than for conventional systems. Polls consistently show that more than 95% of all geothermal customers would recommend Geothermal to a family member or friend.
Today, there are now more than 750,000 Geothermal installations in the United States. The current use of geothermal heat pump technology has resulted in the following emissions reductions:
- Elimination of more than 4.4 million metric tons of CO2 annually; and
- Elimination of more than 1.2 million metric tons of carbon equivalent annually
These 750,000 installations have also resulted in the following energy consumption reductions:
- Annual savings of nearly 6 billion kWh;
- Annual savings of 30 trillion Btus of fossil fuels; and
- Reduced electricity demand of nearly 2 million kW.
The monumental impact of the current use of geothermal heat pump technology is equivalent to:
- Taking 971,000 cars off the road;
- Planting 289 million trees; or
- Reducing U.S. reliance on imported fuels by 16.1 million barrels of crude oil per year.

*Environmental Protection Agency, Space Conditioning: The Next Frontier. Office of Air and Radiation

**General Accounting Office, Geothermal Energy, Outlook Limited for Some Users but Promising for Geothermal

Air-to-Air

How They Work…

Heat pumps aren't new. Electric heat pumps first appeared in the 1930s, and they've improved dramatically. The U.S. Dept. of Energy says: "Recent development in heat pump markets today have made them more reliable, and many applications can offer substantial energy and dollar savings." In other words, if you haven't seen a heat pump lately, you haven't seen a heat pump!

Heat pumps operate simply: They extract heat from a source at a low temperature and discharge it at a higher temperature. This transfer of heat allows a heat pump to supply more heat than the equivalent energy it uses. That means they're highly efficient, which translates to lower operating costs. Today's heat pump operates at efficiencies of 200% or more. That's like getting $2 or more back in heating and cooling results on every $1 you spend!

Even in the coldest weather, there is heat energy in the air. In extreme cold, heat pumps use built-in supplemental heating to ensure comfort in even the coldest climates. Dakota Energy recommends the use of electric resistance heat to supplement your heat pump on those super cold winter days.

In the summer, heat pumps give reliable, efficient air conditioning and dehumidifying by reversing the process. They really are the best year-round home comfort solution. Ask your cooperative for more info. Heat pumps use your home's existing ductwork, so it's easy to convert an inefficient propane or oil system. Heat pumps can also be used in an add-on role, working in tandem with a furnace for significant savings (ask your cooperative for more information about add-on heat pumps). Heat pumps are a great choice when it's time to update, refurbish or expand a home.

Would you like to find out more about how much air-to-air system heat pumps cost to operate? If so, please call us and ask for the free booklet, "Air Source Heat Pump Homes," which provides a cross section of air-to-air heat pump homes through out the East River region, along with their actual monthly heating and cooling costs.

Air source heat pump brochure.