Download or read book Monitored Energy Use of Homes with Geothermal Heat Pumps written by and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 37 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The performance of residential geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) was assessed by comparing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and whole house energy use of GHP houses and control houses. Actual energy savings were calculated and compared to expected savings (based on ARI ratings and literature) and predicted savings (based on coefficient of performance - COP - measurements). Differences between GHP and control houses were normalized for heating degree days and floor area or total insulation value. Predicted savings were consistently slightly below expected savings but within the range of performance cited by the industry. Average rated COP was 3.4. Average measured COP was 3.1. Actual savings were inconsistent and sometimes significantly below predicted savings. No correlation was found between actual savings and actual energy use. This suggests that factors such as insulation and occupant behavior probably have greater impact on energy use than type of HVAC equipment. There was also no clear correlation between climate and actual savings or between climate and actual energy use. There was a trend between GHP installation date and savings. Newer units appear to have lower savings than some of the older units which is opposite of what one would expect given the increase in rated efficiencies of GHPs. There are a number of explanations for why actual savings are repeatedly below rated savings or predicted savings. Poor ground loop sizing or installation procedures could be an issue. Given that performance is good compared to ASHPs but poor compared to electric resistance homes, the shortfall in savings could be due to duct leakage. The takeback effect could also be a reason for lower than expected savings. Occupants of heat pump homes are likely to heat more rooms and to use more air-conditioning than occupants of electric resistance homes. 10 refs., 17 figs., 10 tabs.

Download or read book Monitored Performance of Residential Geothermal Heat Pumps in Central Texas and Southern Michigan written by and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 47 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report summarizes measured performance of residential geothermal heat pumps (GHP's) that were installed in family housing units at Ft. Hood, Texas and at Selfridge Air National Guard base in Michigan. These units were built as part of a joint Department of Defense/Department of Energy program to evaluate the energy savings potential of GHP's installed at military facilities. At the Ft. Hood site, the GHP performance was compared to conventional forced air electric air conditioning and natural gas heating. At Selfridge, the homes under test were originally equipped with electric baseboard heat and no air conditioning. Installation of the GHP systems at both sites was straightforward but more problems and costs were incurred at Selfridge because of the need to install ductwork in the homes. The GHP's at both sites produced impressive energy savings. These savings approached 40% for most of the homes tested. The low cost of energy on these bases relative to the incremental cost of the GHP conversions precludes rapid payback of the GHP's from energy savings alone. Estimates based on simple payback (no inflation and no interest on capital) indicated payback times from 15 to 20 years at both sites. These payback times may be reduced by considering the additional savings possible due to reduced maintenance costs. Results are summarized in terms of 15 minute, hourly, monthly, and annual performance parameters. The results indicate that all the systems were working properly but several design shortcomings were identified. Recommendations are made for improvements in future installations at both sites.

Download or read book The Monitoring and Evaluation of Geothermal Systems written by Whitney E. Maynard and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ABSTRACT: With the heightened importance of green engineering in today's society, harnessing the Earth's internal energy has become ever more important. Specifically, the use of geothermal heat pumps as a means of heating and cooling homes and municipal buildings is on the rise. However, due to the high cost of installation and limited amount of research conducted, geothermal systems in the State of Florida have yet to meet their potential as an alternative heating and cooling source. With Florida's relatively constant ground temperature of 72°F, an above average temperature gradient for both heating and cooling of indoor areas is provided. To this end, this thesis investigates different geothermal systems and their ability to utilize ground energy storage. To conduct this research, four different geothermal systems were installed and monitored over a period of one year. Testing of the installed systems monitored not only overall efficiency, but also the soils reaction to heightened energy input. Conclusions and recommendations are made as general design parameters for vertical column geothermal well systems in the state of Florida.

Download or read book Small Geothermal Energy Systems and Geothermal Heat Pumps written by Department of Energy (DOE) and published by . This book was released on 2017-04-12 with total page 174 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This comprehensive compilation of DOE documents provides unique and practical information about geothermal heat pumps, including small geothermal systems and DIY systems. Contents: Chapter 1: Small Geothermal Systems: A Guide For The Do-It-Yourselfer * Chapter 2: Using The Earth To Heat and Cool Buildings * Chapter 3: An Information Survival Kit For The Prospective Geothermal Heat Pump Owner * Chapter 4: Success Stories of the Geothermal Energy Program * Chapter 5: Ground-Source Heat Pumps: Overview of Market Status, Barriers to Adoption, and Options for Overcoming Barriers A heat pump-like an air conditioner or refrigerator-moves heat from one place to another. In the summer, a geothermal heat pump (GHP) operating in a cooling mode lowers indoor temperatures by transferring heat from inside a building to the ground outside or below it. Unlike an air conditioner, though, a heat pump's process can be reversed. In the winter, a GHP extracts heat from the ground and transfers it inside. Also, the GHP can use waste heat from summer air-conditioning to provide virtually free hot-water heating. The energy value of the heat moved is typically more than three times the electricity used in the transfer process. GHPs are efficient and require no backup heat because the earth stays at a relatively moderate temperature throughout the year. A GHP system has three major components: a ground loop (buried piping system), the heat pump itself (inside the house), and a heating and cooling distribution system. There are two main types of GHP systems. The earth-coupled (or closed-loop) GHP uses sealed horizontal or vertical pipes as heat exchangers through which water, or water and antifreeze, transfer heat to or from the ground. The second type, the water-source (or open-loop) GHP, pumps water from a well or other source to the heat exchanger, then back to the source. Because of their versatility, earth-coupled systems dominate the GHP market. Typical loop installations for the earth-coupled systems are expected to work for 50 years. More than 400,000 GHPs are operating in homes, schools, and commercial buildings in the United States. They are adaptable to virtually any kind of building; the Federal government has installed nearly 10,000 GHPs. Geothermal resources are available across the United States at varying depths, providing a ubiquitous buried treasure of domestic renewable energy. Enormous amounts of hydrothermal geothermal energy is available in the western United States, but theoretically, geothermal sources are available across the United States. The key to being able to use geothermal energy is to find a way to enhance geothermal systems lacking key natural characteristics. Natural geothermal systems depend on three factors to produce energy: heat, water, and permeability. While heat is present virtually everywhere at depth, water and permeability are less abundant. Geothermal technology is an attractive renewable resource because it can provide a constant source of renewable baseload electricity. While the sun and wind offer a large potential source of renewable energy that varies over time, geothermal technology is uninterruptible and can provide a stable baseload form of energy while diversifying the nation's renewable portfolio. Geothermal energy has low environmental risk and impact. When used with a closed-loop binary power plant, geothermal systems emit zero greenhouse gas emissions and have a near zero environmental risk or impact.

Download or read book Geothermal Heat Pump Systems written by David Borge-Diez and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2023-03-21 with total page 326 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents an overview of geothermal heating systems using ground source heat pumps in different countries. It evaluates the emissions and energy costs generated by the operation of low enthalpy geothermal systems, with heat pumps fed by different energy sources, and assesses, from an international point of view, those policies whose aim is a sustainable, low-carbon economy. The use of low-impact energy sources is gradually growing with the aim of reducing greenhouse gases emission and air pollution. The alternatives offered by geothermal systems are one of the key solutions for a future renewable development, enabling the electrification of heating systems and the use of biofuels. The book will be of interest to energy professionals and researchers.

Download or read book Technology Solutions Case Study written by and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Space conditioning represents nearly 50% of average residential household energy consumption, highlighting the need to identify alternative cost-effective, energy-efficient cooling and heating strategies. As homes are better built, there is an increasing need for strategies that are particularly well suited for high performance, low load homes. ARBI researchers worked with two test homes in hot-dry climates to evaluate the in-situ performance of air-to-water heat pump (AWHP) systems, an energy efficient space conditioning solution designed to cost-effectively provide comfort in homes with efficient, safe, and durable operation. Both systems were fully instrumented and have been monitored over one year to capture complete performance data over the cooling and heating seasons. Results are used to quantify energy savings, cost-effectiveness, and system performance using different operating modes and strategies. This strategy is most effective in tight, insulated homes with high levels of thermal mass (i.e. exposed slab floors).

Download or read book Geothermal Heat Pumps Installation Guide written by Stephen K. Ewings and published by Stephen K Ewings. This book was released on 2008-10 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book An In Depth Look at Ground Source Heat Pumps and Other Electric Loads in Two GreenMax Homes written by and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 49 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Building America research team Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings (CARB) partnered with WPPI Energy to answer key research questions on in-field performance of ground-source heat pumps and lighting, appliance, and miscellaneous loads (LAMELs) through extensive field monitoring at two WPPI GreenMax demonstration homes in Wisconsin. These two test home evaluations provided valuable data on the true in-field performance of various building mechanical systems and LAMELs.

Download or read book High Performance Homes That Use 50 Less Energy Than the DOE Building America Benchmark Building written by and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This document describes lessons learned from designing, building, and monitoring five affordable, energy-efficient test houses in a single development in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) service area. This work was done through a collaboration of Habitat for Humanity Loudon County, the US Department of Energy (DOE), TVA, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The houses were designed by a team led by ORNL and were constructed by Habitat's volunteers in Lenoir City, Tennessee. ZEH5, a two-story house and the last of the five test houses to be built, provided an excellent model for conducting research on affordable high-performance houses. The impressively low energy bills for this house have generated considerable interest from builders and homeowners around the country who wanted a similar home design that could be adapted to different climates. Because a design developed without the project constraints of ZEH5 would have more appeal for the mass market, plans for two houses were developed from ZEH5: a one-story design (ZEH6) and a two-story design (ZEH7). This report focuses on ZEH6, identical to ZEH5 except that the geothermal heat pump is replaced with a SEER 16 air source unit (like that used in ZEH4). The report also contains plans for the ZEH6 house. ZEH5 and ZEH6 both use 50% less energy than the DOE Building America protocol for energyefficient buildings. ZEH5 is a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2632 ft2 house with a home energy rating system (HERS) index of 43, which qualifies it for federal energy-efficiency incentives (a HERS rating of 0 is a zero-energy house, and a conventional new house would have a HERS rating of 100). This report is intended to help builders and homeowners build similar high-performance houses. Detailed specifications for the envelope and the equipment used in ZEH5 are compared with the Building America Benchmark building, and detailed drawings, specifications, and lessons learned in the construction and analysis of data gleaned from 94 sensors installed in ZEH5 to monitor electric sub-metered usage, temperature and relative humidity, hot water usage, and heat pump operation for 1 year are presented. This information should be particularly useful to those considering structural insulated panel (SIP) walls and roofing; foundation geothermal heat pumps for space heating and cooling; solar water heaters; and roof-mounted, grid-tied photovoltaic systems. The document includes plans for ZEH6 (adapted from ZEH5), a one-story, high-performance house, as well as projections of how the design might perform in five major metropolitan areas across the TVA service territory. The HERS ratings for this all-electric house vary from 36 (Memphis, Tennessee) to 46 (Bristol, Tennessee).

Download or read book Geothermal Energy written by and published by . This book was released on 1977 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this study, which was carried out under the auspices of the DGRST, was to determine the best way to use geothermal hot water for residential space heating. It quickly became apparent that the type of heating apparatus used in the housing units was most important and that heat pumps could be a valuable asset, making it possible to extract even more geothermal heat and thus substantially improve the cost benefit of the systems. Many factors play a significant role in this problem. Therefore, after a first stage devoted to analyzing the problem through a manual method which proved quite useful, the systematic consideration of all important aspects led us to use a computer to optimize solutions and process a large number of cases. The software used for this general study can also be used to work out particular cases: it is now available to any interested party through DGRST. This program makes it possible to: (1) take climatic conditions into account in a very detailed manner, including temperatures as well as insolation. 864 cases corresponding to 36 typical days divided into 24 hours each were chosen to represent the heating season. They make it possible to define the heating needs of any type of housing unit. (2) simulate and analyze the behavior in practice of a geothermal heating system when heat is extracted from the well by a simple heat exchanger. This simulation makes it possible to evaluate the respective qualities of various types of heating apparatus which can be used in homes. It also makes it possible to define the best control systems for the central system and substations and to assess quite accurately the presence of terminal controls, such as radiators with thermostatically controlled valves. (3) determine to what extent the addition of a heat pump makes it possible to improve the cost benefit of geothermal heating. When its average characteristics and heating use conditions (price, coefficient of performance, length of utilization, electrical rates, etc.) are taken into account, the heat pump should not be scaled for maximum heating power. Consequently, the program considers several possible sizes, with different installation schemes, and selects for each case the value which corresponds to the lowest cost of heating.

Download or read book Real Prospects for Energy Efficiency in the United States written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2010-06-10 with total page 349 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: America's economy and lifestyles have been shaped by the low prices and availability of energy. In the last decade, however, the prices of oil, natural gas, and coal have increased dramatically, leaving consumers and the industrial and service sectors looking for ways to reduce energy use. To achieve greater energy efficiency, we need technology, more informed consumers and producers, and investments in more energy-efficient industrial processes, businesses, residences, and transportation. As part of the America's Energy Future project, Real Prospects for Energy Efficiency in the United States examines the potential for reducing energy demand through improving efficiency by using existing technologies, technologies developed but not yet utilized widely, and prospective technologies. The book evaluates technologies based on their estimated times to initial commercial deployment, and provides an analysis of costs, barriers, and research needs. This quantitative characterization of technologies will guide policy makers toward planning the future of energy use in America. This book will also have much to offer to industry leaders, investors, environmentalists, and others looking for a practical diagnosis of energy efficiency possibilities.

Download or read book Geothermal Heat Pump Energy Savings Performance Contract at Fort Polk LA written by and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At Fort Polk, LA the space conditioning systems of 4,003 military family housing units have been converted to geothermal heat pumps (GHP) under an energy savings performance contract (ESPC). At the same time, other efficiency measures, such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), low-flow shower heads, and attic insulation, were installed. An independent evaluation of the Fort Polk ESPC was carried out. Findings indicate that the project has resulted in a 25.6 million kWh savings in electrical energy use, or 32.4% of the pre-retrofit electrical consumption in family housing, for a typical meteorological year. Peak electrical demand has also been reduced by 6,541 kW, which is 39.6% of the pre-retrofit peak demand. Natural gas savings are about 260,000 therms per year. In addition, the ESPC has allowed the Army to effectively cap its future expenditures for family housing HVAC maintenance at about 77% of its previous costs. Given these successful results, the Fort Polk ESPC can provide a model for other ESPCs in both the public and the private sectors. The purpose of this paper is to outline the method by which the ESPC was engineered and implemented, both from the standpoint of the facility owner (the US Army) and the energy services company (ESCO) which is carrying out the contract. The lessons learned from this experience should be useful to other owners, ESCOs and investors in the implementation of future ESPCs. It should be noted that the energy savings presented in this document are the apparent energy savings observed in the monitored data, and are not to be confused with the contracted energy savings used as the basis for payments. To determine the contracted energy savings, the apparent energy savings may require adjustments for such things as changes in indoor temperature performance criteria, additions of ceiling fans, and other factors.

Download or read book Shallow Geothermal Systems written by and published by . This book was released on 2018-05 with total page 375 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Wind power and solar power systems have become part of common knowledge and conversation over the past few years. While these provide excellent sustainable options of energy production, geothermal energy systems are just as efficient and economical. Shallow geothermal systems are mainly based on using low - moderate temperatures for heating and cooling. These temperatures are naturally found in the upper geological layers and will mostly be in the same order as the average outdoors temperature seen over a year. The earth has a generally constant temperature throughout the year which can be used in geothermal systems to benefit all sites. Using these temperatures in geothermal system is referred to a direct use, mainly for serving as a source of heat for heat pump applications. Geothermal systems create positive energy, meaning that they produce higher quantities of energy than they require operating. Geothermal energy has until recently had a considerable economic potential only in areas where thermal water or steam is found concentrated at depths less than 3 km in restricted volumes analogous to oil in commercial oil reservoirs. This has recently changed with developments in the application of ground-source heat pumps using the earth as a heat source for heating or as a heat sink for cooling, depending on the season. This has made it possible for all countries to use the heat of the earth for heating and/or cooling, as appropriate. Shallow Geothermal Systems is aimed at appropriate modes of development, utilization, and dividing the suitable areas of shallow geothermal energy according to the resource conditions of shallow geothermal energy. The book focuses on the proper exploitation of the ground for geothermal purposes without unfavorably affecting the ground or the groundwater on the one hand and the operation of the system and nearby buildings on the other. SGE is in many cases a financially viable and an energy efficient way of acclimatizing houses and buildings. For this reason, governments are actively stimulating the application of shallow geothermal energy which has led to a strong growth in the application of these systems.

Download or read book Long term Monitoring of Mini split Ductless Heat Pumps in the Northeast written by Kohta Ueno and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 127 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Transformations, Inc. has extensive experience building their high performance housing at a variety of Massachusetts locations, in both a production and custom home setting. The majority of their construction uses mini-split heat pumps (MSHPs) for space conditioning. This research covered the long-term performance of MSHPs in Zone 5A; it is the culmination of up to three years' worth of monitoring in a set of eight houses. This research examined electricity use of MSHPs, distributions of interior temperatures and humidity when using simplified (two-point) heating systems in high performance housing, and the impact of door open/closed status on temperature distributions. The use of simplified space conditioning distribution (MSHPs) provides significant first cost savings, which are used to offset the increased investment in the building enclosure.

Download or read book Geological Monitoring written by Rob Young and published by Geological Society of America. This book was released on 2009 with total page 316 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Geologic Monitoring is a practical, nontechnical guide for land managers, educators, and the public that synthesizes representative methods for monitoring short-term and long-term change in geologic features and landscapes. A prestigious group of subject-matter experts has carefully selected methods for monitoring sand dunes, caves and karst, rivers, geothermal features, glaciers, nearshore marine features, beaches and marshes, paleontological resources, permafrost, seismic activity, slope movements, and volcanic features and processes. Each chapter has an overview of the resource; summarizes features that could be monitored; describes methods for monitoring each feature ranging from low-cost, low-technology methods (that could be used for school groups) to higher cost, detailed monitoring methods requiring a high level of expertise; and presents one or more targeted case studies."--Publisher's description.

Download or read book Modern Geothermal HVAC Engineering and Control Applications written by Jay Egg and published by McGraw Hill Professional. This book was released on 2013-06-05 with total page 448 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Best practices for the design and engineering of geothermal HVAC systems With a focus on market needs and customer goals, this practical guide explains how to realize the full potential of geothermal HVAC by integrating hydronic systems and controls at maximum capacity. Modern Geothermal HVAC: Engineering and Control Applications explains how to engineer and specify geothermal HVAC for building projects in varying geographic regions. Typical details on control parameters are provided. By using the proven methods in this innovative resource, you will be able to develop highly efficient, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing geothermal HVAC systems. Coverage includes: Low-temperature geothermal or earth coupling Geothermal heat-pump equipment Variations in earth coupling Application of earth coupling with regard to site conditions Closed-loop earth coupling and fusion Intermediate heat exchanger usage in geothermal applications Standing column and open geothermal systems Fundamentals of comfort, psychrometrics, and thermodynamics Hydronic and air HVAC system basics Hydronic HVAC system equipment Variations and improvements to hydronic systems Control systems Load sharing and energy recovery Calculating system efficiencies, heat gain, and loss Geothermal rebates, incentives, and renewables legislation

Download or read book Geothermal Heat Pumps for Wisconsin Homes Businesses and Schools written by Wisconsin Focus on Energy and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 2 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: