The closed loop ground source heat pump system consists of three loops that operate during all heat pump cycles and an optional, an additional fourth loop is available that heats domestic hot water, as seen in the following images and defined as:
1. Heating Loop. A loop used to distribute hot or cold energy to the building. For ducted systems a squirrel cage blower is used to move air through a duct distribution system. For under floor heating, this loop will be connected to a collector or series of collectors to circulate the hot water through the property.
2. Refrigerant Loop. A sealed and pressurised loop that transports thermal energy from point to point in the circuit. Refrigerant flow is forced through the circuit by a compressor in the vapour portion of the loop.
3. Ground Loop. A sealed an pressurised loop of water or antifreeze solution circulated below the earth’s surface. It absorbs heat from the surrounding earth in the winter and rejects the heat in the summer. The fluid is circulated via a low power consumption pump.
4. Domestic Hot Water Loop. A sealed and pressurised loop that circulates water from the domestic hot water cylinder to the heat pumps de-super heater circuit. The water is circulated in this loop by a low power circulation pump. Most heat pumps have a full condensing loop which will provide 100% of the DHW requirements.
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