Ground source heat pump
A ground source heat pump (GSHP) is a geothermal option for heating and cooling.
Basic principle: Use the temperature of the ground a few hundred meters deep. This is a very stable 16'C
Environmental & labor footprint of construction
This section needs research:
- How easy is it to retrofit existing buildings?
- Single-detatched homes
- Townhouses, mid-rise and high-rise buildings
- Warehouses and other
- How does this viability compare with new construction?
- Life cycle analysis: How long does the thing last?
Energy usage
It still takes some electricity to run a GSHP. Also, in the winter, you'll still need some additional heating
Geography
Unlike other geothermal energy (which is only viable in a few parts of the world), ground source heat pumps work in almost any part of the world.
Effects on surrounding ecosystem
Once the GSHP is installed, it does not affect the surrounding environment. Contrary to a common myth, GSHPs do not freeze the ground.[2]