Monitoring of residential groundwater-source heat pumps in the Northeast. Final report

Technical Report · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6348798

Freedman, G M; Osborne, R W; Mohre, D L

Two rural Pennsylvania single-family residences in a 6000 heating degree-day climate were retrofitted with add-on groundwater-source heat pumps. Performance data were collected over a two-year period. Data were collected manually and by microcomputer, and included weather, energy use of the heat pump and house, water flow and temperature. Compared to oil, at 1984 prices, a payback of 4 to 6 years is possible. One unit operated at a COP in heating of nearly 3.0, including an allowance for pumping energy. The COP of the second unit was lower, still better than oil heating but not cost-effective at today's rates. Some initial reliability problems were also encountered with one unit. This emphasizes the need for astute buying and use of comparative ratings on models at conditions consistent with the application. As water-source heat pump performance is affected by water supply temperatures, the rating must be for temperatures similar to groundwater temperatures in the region where the heat pump will be installed, typically 50 to 55F in Pennsylvania. A substantial quantity of water is required and proper disposal is a consideration. Ponds were used to receive processed water in both test applications. The source groundwater was obtained from wells of more than 50 feet in depth, which are common at rural residences. The units tested required no significant supplemental heat.

• Research Organization: Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc., Harrisburg, PA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6348798
• Report Number(s): EPRI-EM-4372; ON: TI86920114
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
AIR CONDITIONING
BUILDINGS
CLIMATES
COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE
DATA ACQUISITION
DEGREE DAYS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
FIELD TESTS
HEAT PUMPS
HEATING
LOAD MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
MONITORING
PERFORMANCE
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SPACE HEATING
TESTING
WATER SOURCE HEAT PUMPS