Water to water heat pump primarily come in two types: open loop and closed loop systems. Open loop systems draw water directly from a natural source like a well or pond, extract heat, and then discharge the water back into the source. Closed loop systems circulate a fluid (often a water and antifreeze mixture) through a sealed pipe network submerged in a water source, transferring heat without directly using the water itself.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Open Loop Systems:
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Open Loop Systems:
- How they work:
Water is pumped from a source (well, lake, etc.), circulated through the heat pump to extract heat, and then discharged back into the source (or a different part of it).
- Advantages:
Can be very efficient if a suitable water source is available and can handle the flow rate.
- Disadvantages:
Requires a reliable water source with sufficient flow and may have more stringent regulations and water quality requirements due to the direct water exchange.
- How they work:
A sealed pipe loop containing a fluid (often a mixture of water and antifreeze) is submerged in the water source. The fluid circulates through the loop, absorbing heat, and then returns to the heat pump.
- Advantages:
Easier to maintain, less susceptible to water quality issues, and can be used in a wider range of locations as they don't require a large, consistent flow of water.
- Disadvantages:
May have higher initial installation costs due to the piping network, and the efficiency can be slightly lower compared to open loop systems in ideal conditions.