Ground Source Heat Pumps:
A ground source heat pump is the highest efficiency heating and cooling system available because it uses a renewable energy source: the earth. With this system, a network of durable plastic coils is buried in the ground and absorbs the earth's heat energy. A heat pump, which is connected to the coils, extracts that energy and converts it into heat that is transferred into the home. Or, at the flip of a switch, the process can be reversed to cool your home.
Ground source heat pumps are long-lasting, low-maintenance systems designed to meet 100 percent of your heating and cooling needs. These environmentally-friendly units are three times more efficient than the highest efficiency gas furnace which means less energy consumed and less pollution. And because they are electric there is no threat of harmful gas emissions such as carbon monoxide.
Some systems can also provide water heating assistance to reduce the amount of energy your water heater consumes. WH members with ground source heat pumps may qualify for WH's Dual Fuel programs. Financing is also available.
To request more information on this or other WH services, fill out this online form.
WH's Uncontrolled Ground Source Heat Pump Program
Members who already have or are installing a ground water or ground coupled heat pump can now receive a special reduced rate - 5.3 cents per kilowatt hour - to heat and cool their homes without needing a backup heating system in place.
Requirements:
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The ground source heat pump system must be capable of providing the entire space heating and cooling requirements in the home.
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The pump must have a minimum coefficient of performance (COP) of three at design conditions.*
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Plenum or strip heat must be separately metered and controlled on a Dual Fuel rate strategy.
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If your water heater is electric, customer must participate in an Off-Peak water heating program.
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Open loop geothermal systems well pumps may be placed on the uncontrolled rate.
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Closed loop geothermal systems pumps may be placed on the uncontrolled rate.
For more information, fill out this online form or call a WH customer service representative at 763-477-3000.
*COP is the ratio of heating or cooling provided by a heat pump divided by the input energy used. Thus, a COP of three indicated that three times as much useful heat energy is collected as expended to collect it. The same machine would deliver three times as much heat as a furnace burning the same amount of fuel - even at 100 percent combustion efficiency.