Comparative performance assessment of air-source and ground-source heat pumps using CO₂ and R-410A with water well integration: A simulation study

Sun, Jian; Li, Yanfei; Kashif, Nawaz; Liu, Xiaobing; Lian, Jamie; Pagnotti, Anthony; Neill, Emily; Donald, Peter

doi:10.1016/j.jobe.2025.114453

Comparative performance assessment of air-source and ground-source heat pumps using CO₂ and R-410A with water well integration: A simulation study

Journal Article · Wed Oct 22 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Journal of Building Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.114453· OSTI ID:3002363

^[1]; Li, Yanfei ^[1]; ^[1]; ^[1]; Lian, Jamie ^[1]; Pagnotti, Anthony ^[2]; Neill, Emily ^[2]; Donald, Peter ^[2]

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Dalrada Corporation, Escondido, CA (United States)

This study investigates the performance and feasibility of heat pump systems for residential space heating in cold climates, with a particular focus on ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) with water wells. Four configurations are modeled and compared, a CO₂ air-source heat pump (ASHP), an R-410A ASHP, a CO₂ GSHP with water well integration, and an R-410A ground-source heat pump with water well integration. System simulations are conducted at both equipment and whole-building levels, followed by a nationwide analysis across ten representative cities using EnergyPlus. Results show that water-well-coupled GSHPs maintain approximately 87 % of their efficiency and 85.5 % of heating capacity as ambient temperature drops from 47 °F/8.3 °C to −15 °F/-26.1 °C, whereas ASHPs retain only 55 % efficiency and 44.5 % capacity. R-410A systems achieve higher efficiency, while CO₂ systems provide significant environmental advantages, including reduced risks of groundwater contamination from refrigerant leakage. On average, the CO₂ GSHPs deliver 35–45 % heating energy savings relative to ASHPs and demonstrate strong potential as a replacement for gas furnaces in cold climates. This work represents a systematic comparative assessment of CO₂ and R-410A air-source and ground-source heat pumps with water well integration. In conclusion, the findings highlight the technical viability, environmental benefits and deployment potential of CO₂ GSHPs, offering a pathway toward efficient and sustainable residential heating solutions in diverse U.S. climates.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 3002363

Journal Information:: Journal of Building Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Building Engineering Vol. 114; ISSN 2352-7102

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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