[GSBN] ground source heat pumps

[Tom Woolley]

Dear Catherine

Ireland is the geothermal capital of Europe. It has become a middle  
class status symbol .

Richard Douthwaite , a highly respected green economist wrote  
(extract from a much longer piece)

"I began to ask myself that question when I came across a document on  
the website of a small German electricity company which concluded: “A  
ground-source heat pump can only be considered acceptable as an  
alternative to conventional heating systems from an environmental  
point of view if it has a coefficient of performance of over 4, gets  
its electricity from a CO2 free source and uses a climate-friendly  
refrigerant. As most current heat pumps do not meet these criteria,  
we advise against their use.” ‘
Richard Douthwaite , Construct Ireland Issue 19

http://www.constructireland.ie/
richard at douthwaite.net

best wishes

Tom Woolley



On 18 Mar 2009, at 17:16, BuildersWithoutBorders wrote:

> Dear colleagues -
>
> Can someone shed some light on so-called geothermal heating  
> systems, and their cost-effectiveness for a typical home?
>
> I imagine the pay-back in energy saved has something to do with how  
> many heating degree days in a specific climate.  But then, I  
> understand they can also be reversed for cooling.
>
> This seems like an expensive technology that is dependent on  
> electrical service... can it be powered by solar/
>
> Thanks for any insight offered.
>
>
> Sincerely,
> Catherine Wanek
> Co-director
> Builders Without Borders
> <mail at builderswithoutborders.org>
> www.builderswithoutborders.org
> 575-895-5400
> _______________________________________________
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Tom Woolley

Rachel Bevan Architects
17A Main Street
Saintfield
Ballynahinch
BT24 7AA

tom.woolley at btconnect.com
028 44 830988


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