The heating process involves
the extraction of heat energy from the ground, and moving it
into the building. Transferring the heat from the earth to the
building involves a cycle of evaporation, compression,
condensation and expansion. A refrigerant is used as the heat
transfer medium.
The heating cycle starts as
cold, liquid refrigerant passes through a water-to-refrigerant
heat exchanger and absorbs heat from the low temperature
source (earth loop fluid or well water). The refrigerant
evaporates into a gas as heat is absorbed. The gaseous
refrigerant passes through a compressor where the refrigerant
is pressurized, raising its temperature to over 180°F.
The hot gas then circulates
through a refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger where heat is
removed as the cooler return air passes over it. Now heated,
this warm air is delivered into the building by way of the
blower and the duct system.
Upon releasing its heat
energy into the air, the refrigerant returns to the
water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger where the process is
repeated continuously during the heating process. A by-product
of the heating function is the production of hot water that is
delivered to the water heater by way of a small pump.
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