Resources

How Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHP) Function

With the increase in cost of such natural resources as oil, natural gas, and coal, it is no surprise that much of the world's focus has turned toward innovative ways of providing heating and cooling to residential and commercial spaces. Here at Harvey Hottel we pride ourselves on developing innovative ways of keeping our residential and commercial customers warm and cool throughout the year. Whether you are a resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland or a commercial space owner in Rockville, Maryland, Harvey Hottel can provide you and your space with green, eco-friendly options. Such innovative technologies as geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) are a relatively new technology that can save homeowners and commercial customers a lot of money. The ground-sourced heat pumps use the natural heating storage capacity of the earth or ground water to provide energy efficient heating and cooling year round. It is important to note that GHPs are not related to air-source heat pumps that rely on heated air.

Geothermal heat pumps tap into the heat that is stored in the ground or water that is several feet below the earth's surface. The earth and the water that runs through it hold a relatively constant temperature throughout the year. Such pumps can either be retrofitted to an existing home or commercial space or included in new construction. These heat pumps also allow for the direct use of local hot water.

For a residential customer in Gaithersburg, Maryland a Geothermal heat pump system consist of an indoor heating pump unit, a ground loop, as well as a flow center to connect the indoor and outdoor equipment. This system works like a reversible refrigerator by taking the heat from one location and depositing it in another location, i.e. your home. The ground loop that is installed into the ground is responsible for the transfer of this heat much like the coils on a refrigerator. These systems can also be opened or closed loop. Open looped systems draw well water for use as the heating source. After use the water is returned to a drainage field or well. Closed loop systems use a combination of water and antifreeze solution, circulated in a ground loop of pipe to extract heat from the earth.

Such a system will prove to be monumental as more homeowners and commercial space owners seek to find cheaper and cleaner methods to heat and cool their spaces. They are more energy efficient than all of the natural resources because they draw from and release back the heat from the earth rather than the air. This is because the air is colder than the earth during the winter and it takes more energy to heat cool air.

Again, whether you are a residential customer in Gaithersburg or a commercial owner in Rockville, Harvey Hottel is committed to providing you with energy efficient options when it comes to heating and cooling your space. Our staff is equipped with the proper tools, technology, and training to compete in the new age of green, eco-friendly market. Contact us today to find out how to make your home or commercial space more eco-friendly and efficient.

More about geothermal heating and cooling systems

Articles

• What Is A Geothermal Heat Pump?
• Geothermal Benefits
• How Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHP) Function
• Open vs. Closed Loop Geothermal Systems
• Investing in Green Heating
• Harvey Hottel, Inc. installed an environmentally friendly Geothermal Heating and Cooling system on the new Winchester Safety Rest Area & Welcome Center off Route 81 in Winchester, Virginia.

Hottel Energy Group

• Geothermal Heating & Cooling

Serving Maryland and Northern Virginia including: Montgomery County, MD. Fairfax County, VA. Silver Spring, MD. Vienna, VA. Wheaton, MD. Fairfax, VA. Rockville, MD. Chantilly, VA. Great Falls, VA. Bowie, MD. Herndon, VA. Glenn Burnie, MD. Sterling, VA. Reston, VA. Falls Church, VA. Centreville, VA. Laurel, MD. Chevy Chase, MD. Kensington, MD. Columbia, MD. McLean, VA. Bethesda, MD. Arlington, VA. Silver Spring, MD. Reston, VA. Gaithersburg, MD. Alexandria, VA. Germantown, MD.

home | schedule service | maintenance contracts | resources | about us | contact us | commercial | residential | hottel energy group | engineering | design build | employment