A testament to the quality and durability of heat pumps. This 20-year old open-loop geothermal heat pump has provided consistent heat without any major problems during its lifetime. Four employees enjoy the warm in-floor radiant (hydronic) heating throughout the heating season. The 297 m2 (3200 sq. ft.) floors are heated to 22.2 °C (72 °F) for most of the winter by water from a well, which is heated by surrounding rock beneath the surface, and then circulated through ten in-floor radiant heat loops, and discharged into another well. Although the store doors are opened and closed all day long, which allows for plenty of cold air to enter, the warm floors provide quality heat and comfort.
This particular geothermal heat pump, unlike many available, does not provide air conditioning. The owner uses a water cooler, comprised of a fan and cold water coil, to air condition
the store when it is hot. When it is time to replace the heat pump, the owner is considering installing a model that employs forced air that can both heat and cool the store. That type of system will require ductwork that the hydronic system does not.
One disadvantage of this system is that it takes 6-to-8 hours to raise the floor temperature 3-to-4 degrees. Although the store is unoccupied overnight, the system stays on to maintain the same temperature, to ensure the store is comfortably warm when everyone arrives. During the day, the pump turns on about half a dozen times. The system was installed by the previous owner, and the system did not influence the current owner’s decision to buy the building. However, the owner has already decided to install a new geothermal heat pump when it needs to be replaced. According to the owner:
“It may be a little more expensive to cover the up-front costs, but it pays off in the long-run.”
