GROUND SOURCE GEOTHERMAL
LOW CARBON, RENEWABLE AND CONSISTENT ENERGY
Ground source heat pumps use energy from the subsurface to heat and cool buildings, using less electricity than traditional space heating and air conditioning units. Ground source energy can lower operating costs, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Transferring heat and cold from the ground
Regardless of the season, the ground below the surface stays at a relatively constant temperature. Using a connected subsystem, a series of connected underground pipes and pumps transfer heat in the winter into the building (and transfer heat out of the building in the summer) by circulating a refrigerant through a cycle of evaporation and condensation. A compressor pumps the refrigerant between two heat exchanger coils. In one coil, the refrigerant is evaporated at low pressure and absorbs heat from its surroundings. The refrigerant is then compressed en route to the other coil, where it condenses at high pressure. At this point, it releases the heat it absorbed earlier in the cycle.
BENEFITS
REDUCES OPERATING COSTS
Ground source energy can significantly reduce operating costs. The ground source air pumped for space heating reduces the energy required to further heat the air to the desired temperature. Similar savings are experienced with cooling.
REDUCES FUEL CONSUMPTION
Ground source energy does not require a lot of fuel. Natural convection can be sufficient for air movement. Some energy is required for the compressor and pumps, but these costs are much less than the energy savings from avoided heating or cooling.
REDUCES EMISSIONS
The process is closed-loop for the refrigerant and does not produce any carbon emissions.
Considerations
REQUIRES INFRASTRUCTURE CHANGES
Installation of a ground source heat pump often requires some underground work, as well as integration with the facility’s heating system.
HIGH UPFRONT COST
Ground source heat pumps have a high upfront capital cost to build the underground connected pipes.
COLD CLIMATES REDUCE EFFICIENCY
Lower ambient temperatures can impact the efficiency of the pump and can cause greater heat losses to the environment.
Contact Quest Canada
Visit Us
Ottawa, ON K1R 1A4
Call Us
Fax: (866) 494-2770
CONTACT YMCA OF GREATER TORONTO
ADDRESS - YMCA-GTA
Toronto, Ontario, M4S 2C6
PHONE - YMCA-GTA
Toll Free: 1-800-223-8024
Fax: 416-928-2030
EMAIL - YMCA-GTA
Attention: Alex Versluis, Senior Vice President, Property Management and Development