PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC-FEASIBILITY OF GROUND SOURCE HEAT-PUMPS IN COLD CLIMATE

Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) are attractive alternatives to convent ional heating and cooling systems owing to their higher energy utiliza tion efficiency. In this paper, the effect of various system parameter s on GSHP performance is studied using a computer model. Also, a compa rative economic evaluation is carried out to assess the feasibility of using a GSHP in place of conventional heating/cooling systems and an air source heat pump. The results indicate that system parameters can have a significant effect on performance, and that GSHP is economicall y preferable to conventional systems. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, L td.