Geothermal (a.k.a. ground-source) heat-pump systems continue to be a popular topic in HVAC discussions. Many state and federal agencies are now offering generous incentives for installation of geothermal heat pumps in both residential and commercial applications.
Engineers involved with hydronic systems should be familiar with what geothermal systems have to offer. Specifically, how water-to-water geothermal heat pumps can be integrated with modern hydronic heating. To properly apply them, it’s important to understand the basic thermodynamics involved.