Ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems use the near-constant temperature underground as an exchange medium for heating and cooling structures. These systems show increasing promise as a proven and sustainable technology that can be used in both residential and commercial buildings as a practical way to heat, cool, and supply structures with heated water.

GSHP systems can provide significant energy savings, which is why they are often included in the design of low-energy homes. These systems are also increasingly being incorporated in commercial buildings worldwide. In some countries, they are becoming a mainstream method for space conditioning.

A recent study by scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) calculated that if just 20 percent of U.S. homes replaced their existing space conditioning and water heating systems with a state-of-the-art GSHP system, the conversion would yield significant savings and benefits. Conversion on this scale would result in nearly a quadrillion BTUs of energy savings, more than 50 million metric tons in CO₂ emission reductions, around $10 billion savings in energy costs, and a little more than 40 gigawatts removed from summer peak electrical demand.  ORNL has a long history in performing research and advancing development of GSHP technology. The laboratory also serves as core technical support for GSHP applications in the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP).

Like many technological innovations, ground-source heat pumps have initial barriers preventing wide scale deployment and application. The relatively high upfront installation costs, as well as a lack of public awareness and confidence in the benefits GSHPs provide compared to conventional space-conditioning systems have hindered their widespread adoption. 

As part of its goal to reduce initial GSHP installation costs and to improve equipment performance, the Department of Energy (DOE) has invested in projects that best demonstrate GSHP value and proven business mode ls of systems applications. DOE has also conducted its own GSHP system research and development. As a result of these efforts, GSHPs will one day become a mainstream technology for space conditioning in the United States. 

Please comment on your experience with GSHP technology, or submit any technical questions you may have to be answered by our experts. 

Content for this Blog post courtesy of Xiaobing Liu and Piljae Im, Oak Ridge National Laboratory