A performance comparison between an air-source and a ground-source reversible heat pump

In this study, the performance of a reversible ground-source heat pump coupled to a municipality water reticulation system, is compared experimentally and with simulations to a conventional air-source heat pump for space cooling and heating. A typical municipality water reticulation system comprises hundreds of kilometres of pipes designed in loops that will ensure adequate circulation of water. This results in a substantial heat exchanger with great potential. Indirect heat transfer occurs between the refrigerant and ground via the municipality water reticulation system that acts as the water-to-ground heat exchanger. The experimental and simulated comparisons of the ground-source system to the air-source system are conducted in both the cooling and the heating cycles. Climatalogical statistics are used to calculate the capacities and coefficients of performance of the ground-source and air-source heat pumps. Results obtained from measurements and simulations indicate that the utilization of municipality water reticulation systems as a heat source/sink is a viable method of optimizing energy usage in the air conditioning industry, especially when used in the heating mode. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.