Ground-Source Heat Pump Systems

Ground-Source Heat Pump Systems

GHSPGround-source heat pumps (GSHPs), also called “geothermal” heat pumps, are a type of heat pump that exchange heat between a building and the ground or groundwater by circulating heat transfer fluid between indoor equipment and an outdoor loop. (This is not to be confused with “geothermal electricity generation,” which uses steam from hot, moist rocks beneath the surface.)

Like all heat pumps, GSHPs can reverse their refrigeration cycles to provide both heating and cooling. All ground-source heat pumps are “cold climate” heat pumps, as their efficiencies are not impacted by the temperature of the outside air.

If you have questions about GSHPs and our available rebates, contact BED Energy Services.

Check out this Geothermal Ground Loop FAQ from Dandelion Energy.

Benefits

Ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems can provide you with:

  • Lower and more predictable annual energy bills,
  • Resilient and reliable comfort and efficient energy performance year-round,
  • Emissions-free heating and cooling for low environmental impact,
  • A low maintenance, long-term solution for space conditioning needs.

GSHP systems require no fossil fuel backup, because they can handle 100% of the heating and cooling load of a building year-round, when sized properly. GSHPs are the most effective way for building owners to strategically electrify their heating and cooling systems while drastically reducing their carbon footprint.

Ground-source heat pumps are the most energy-efficient heat pump solution and have the lowest operating costs of any heat pump type. In many cases, ground source heat pumps are twice as efficient as air-source heat pumps.

Ground-Source Heat PumpGSHPs shine when compared to ASHPs operating in heating mode in extremely cold winter weather. This is due to the fact that heat is being exchanged with the ground, which stays at around 45 – 50°F year-round, rather than the outside air, whose temperature fluctuates widely and drops below zero for weeks in Vermont. In heating mode, a GSHP system’s heating efficiency remains similar to its cooling mode efficiency, since loop temperatures do not vary by much.

GSHPs are also extremely efficient air conditioners, as they use the cool ground as a heat sink while air source heat pumps must battle the hot and humid outside air in extremely hot summer weather. GSHPs will always provide a higher EER and lower peak demand per unit of cooling energy delivered when compared to ASHPs.

GSHP systems have the added benefit of offering low-cost integration of domestic hot water heating, which means that on-site combustion of fossil fuel is no longer needed, and a healthier environment and lower energy intensity can be achieved.

GSHP systems are durable and have long system lifetimes, because they require no outdoor equipment. Underground piping and wells require no maintenance and can last for 50 – 75 years. Indoor GSHP equipment can last 25 years or more. Refer to manufacturer’s manuals for specific preventative maintenance tasks for equipment.

Depending on installation location, submersible well pumps may require more frequent maintenance depending on groundwater quality.

To improve the comfort of your home or business, and save money, contact the BED Energy Services team to get started with free, unbiased advice. We’ll walk you through the decision-making process and help you maximize your energy investments.

Energy Savings Calculator

Check out your potential savings using a calculator provided to us courtesy of WaterFurnace.
Actual savings can vary considerably for any customer depending on a wide number of variables including:

  • Current costs per gallon of propane or oil.
  • The type of fuel you’d be replacing:
    • GSHP systems provides substantial savings over propane gas at current and past prices.
    • GSHP systems provides great savings over oil at current and past prices.
    • GSHP systems provide can provide savings over natural gas at current and past prices.
  • The combustion efficiency of your current heating system (a range of about 65 to 95%).
  • Extent of building weatherization. All types of heat pumps perform better in tighter and well insulated buildings.
  • Whether the GSHP system displaces a less efficient air conditioning (AC) system, which may result in cooling savings.
  • Whether GSHP provides AC where none was present, thereby increasing costs.

Energy Savings Calculator

Designing and Installing Ground Source Heat Pump Systems

Please visit our GSHP loops page to learn more about the design approaches and installation recommendations for GSHP systems.

Rebates

The BED Energy Services team can help you with financial rebates and technical assistance for choosing and installing ground-source heat pump systems of any size. Our rebates are available to customers working with BED-approved designers or installers; you can also refer potential designers and installers to BED.

Rebate amounts are based on system size and are tiered as follows:

  • Small systems (residential systems and commercial systems with 10 or less tons of cooling capacity) are eligible for rebates of up to $1,500 per ton of cooling capacity.
    • Single family homes can receive up to $15,000.
    • Multi-family projects qualify for the large system rebate tier.
  • Large systems (commercial and multi-family systems with more than 10 tons of cooling capacity) are eligible for rebates of up to $1,200 per ton of cooling capacity.
    • A single building can receive up to $250,000.

This rebate is for customers working with BED-approved designers and installers of ground-source heat pump systems. Site owners or developers interested in this initiative should find a BED-approved designer or installer to evaluate a project at your home or business.

Only qualified drillers, designers, and installers approved by BED are eligible to submit applications. If you are a ground-source heat pump system driller, designer, or installer, become a BED-approved contractor to work with customers applying for this rebate. After applying, BED will contact you via email about the status of your contractor application.

Designers and installers working with customers on ground-source heat pump systems of any size must complete a preliminary technical analysis before applying. To receive rebates, the qualified designer must complete the design, and involve BED in design review. To receive rebates, qualified contractors must complete the drilling, loop field installations, and the final installation. Rebates are provided upon completion of installation, after a BED field inspection.

Your project must be located in Burlington, Vermont. You must design and install your project according to the requirements of the Vermont Commercial Building Energy Code.

When you’re ready to get started, give us a call so we can discuss your project and estimate your potential financial rebates.