Heat Pumps - Geothermal

Eco Energy Systems - Geo-Thermal Energy Options

Borehole Collector

Of the varying types of geothermal heatpump systems, a borehole is the most independant of climate conditions and is therefore most efficient.  It consists of one or more vertical wells (depending on heat demand) into which a collector is sunk.  A collector consists of two pipes which draw heat from underground.  The advantages of boreholes are that they fit in a smaller garden than a horizontal array.  It has a COP (Coefficient of Performance) of about 4.5 kilowatts.

Horizontal Pipe Array

A horizontal array collector for a heatpump consists of a network of zig zag lines of pipes commonly called a loop.  Like a borehole system, these pipes are filled with a liquid that absorbs heat from the surrounding soil.

Below is a short video that demonstrates geothermal energy and heatpumps, produced by the Renewable Energy Skills project.