Water Source Heat Pumps
There are a number of ways to provide ample heating and cooling to a unit in a high rise building, however, one of the most efficient and cost effective available is geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is incredibly powerful and is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to heat and cool a building.
Water source heat pumps tap into the power of a full geothermal system and provide targeted, carefully measured heating and cooling. Combined with a boiler or cooling tower, a water source heat pump within a geothermal heating system is both incredibly efficient and cost effective.
If you’re interested in learning more about different brands and sizes of water source heat pumps, contact Wickstrom Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today. Our Boise area geothermal technicians will guide you through the selection process by providing valuable information about how a water source heat pump will save you money and keep you comfortable year–round.
How a Water Source Heat Pump Works
In a building supplied by a geothermal system, water source heat pumps provide individual level heating and cooling to each unit in the building. Instead of every tenant relying on one or two central heating or cooling devices, each occupant has their own heat pump. Should one heat pump fail, only that unit’s comfort system needs repair, not the entire building.
But, how does the technology work? In a simple geothermal system, water is circulated through the ground to draw on the natural energy stored in the Earth. That energy is passed from the ground to the heat pump within the building. Through a heat exchanger and compressor, the water transfers its energy to an air source which is then passed by a blower into the room. During the summer, the same process is used to remove heat from water and cool air that is then passed through the blower.
To supplement a simple geothermal system, cooling and boiler tower systems may also be used. These systems add or remove heat from the water supply as needed during more extreme weather conditions.
The Benefits of Water Source Heat Pumps
What makes a water source heat pump the perfect solution is that it takes only what heating or cooling it needs at any given time. Instead of pumping heat or cool air into each unit of a building regardless of the cost, a heat pump draws from the geothermal source and distributes the energy as needed. If one unit doesn’t need heat, it can be used by another instead. If all units need more than is provided by the geothermal loop, the boiler tower will produce additional heat to supplement the source.
In effect, you only pay for what you use and the cost is relatively low because geothermal energy is produced at a 400% efficiency rating. That means your water source heat pump will produce four times as much heating energy as it consumes in electricity – by comparison, a gas furnace or boiler can only produce 98% as much heat as the energy it consumes, and that’s the highest efficiency rating available.
If you occupy a building with a geothermal heating source and would like to learn more about a water source heat pump for your comfort needs, contact Wickstrom Services today. Our expert Metro Boise and Nampa metropolitan area heat pump technicians have the knowledge and experienced needed to select the best water source heat pump for your unique situation.
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