Environmental Impact of Ground Source Heat Pumps versus Air Source Heat Pumps in different climates
Date Issued
May 2024
Author(s)
Abstract
The Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) consists of Ground Heat Exchangers (networks of underground tubes with a circulating refrigerant fluid), coupled with a heat pump. Thus, GSHPs form one of the most popular forms of Shallow Geothermal Energy, used for heating and cooling of buildings. They generally exhibit higher efficiencies than conventional air-source heat pumps. Putting cost aside, the goal in the current paper is to present an analysis, through a Life Cycle Assessment, for the environmental impact of such systems through a comparison between seven European countries. The outcome points to the usefulness of adopting GSHP technologies in most climate zones on Europe.