DanJ
Apr 26, 2007, 1:33 AM
So I am currently working with a team at my University to develop and construct a “house that will incorporate as many aspect of sustainable design as possible. As most people know, air conditioning plays the largest role in a home’s energy consumption, and because of this, we are attempting to put as much development as we can into reducing the house’s need for energy consumption to maintain a comfortable internal environment.
Ground Source Heat Pumps seem to be a more prominent device used to reduce the energy load on A/C units. I have done a good amount of research into, but have not really found an answer to when GSHP are worth the effort or when they are not.
Most GSHP are not used for a single residence; however, there are some cases when it has been, and apparently has been a net benefit. Does anyone know what kind of environmental or geological conditions would make it appropriate for a residence (probably housing around 10 people)? Additionally, when would the initial expense outweigh the savings? And if you know of any other sustainable ways of reducing A/C load, please feel free to leave them as suggestion.
I have seen a condo in NYC that uses a GSHP, but they had to dig as far into the earth as The Empire State Building is tall. That seems like it simply might be more trouble that its worth.
Ground Source Heat Pumps seem to be a more prominent device used to reduce the energy load on A/C units. I have done a good amount of research into, but have not really found an answer to when GSHP are worth the effort or when they are not.
Most GSHP are not used for a single residence; however, there are some cases when it has been, and apparently has been a net benefit. Does anyone know what kind of environmental or geological conditions would make it appropriate for a residence (probably housing around 10 people)? Additionally, when would the initial expense outweigh the savings? And if you know of any other sustainable ways of reducing A/C load, please feel free to leave them as suggestion.
I have seen a condo in NYC that uses a GSHP, but they had to dig as far into the earth as The Empire State Building is tall. That seems like it simply might be more trouble that its worth.