Glossary of geothermal heating and cooling


The Glossary of Geothermal Heating and Cooling provides definitions of many terms used within the Geothermal heat pump industry. The terms in this glossary may be used by industry professionals, for education materials, and by the general public.

A

Auxiliary Heat

B

Blowers

C

Condenser

D

Design Loads

E

Evaporator

F

Flow Regime

G

Ground Heat Exchanger (GHX)

H

Heat Load

Horizontal loop

N

Non-Pressurized Flow Center

A flow center that maintains a flow of water into the suction side of the pump by having the pump located directly adjacent to a column of water. As a result, the system can operate at "zero" or atmospheric pressure. Thus the term "non-pressurized" simply means a device that allows for reliable pump operation without the need to elevate the system pressure. Non-pressurized does not mean that the system is open to the atmosphere, but simply a closed sealed system that operates at atmospheric pressure.

P

Power Flushing

R

Rule of Thumb

S

Sensible Cooling Load

Solenoid

T

Ton of Refrigeration

Acronyms

Acronym–
COPCoefficient of Performance
DHWDomestic Hot Water
DPDelta P or Pressure Difference
DTDelta T or Temperature Difference
DXDirect Exchange
EATEntering Air Temperature
EEREnergy Efficiency Ratio
EWTEntering Water Temperature
EWPEntering Water Pressure
GHPGeothermal Heat Pump
GSHPGround Source Heat Pump
GHXGround Heat Exchanger
HDPEHigh-density polyethylene
IGSHPAInternational Ground Source Heat Pump Association
LATLeaving Air Temperature
LWTLeaving Water Temperature
LWPLeaving Water Pressure
MSHPMulti-source Heat Pump
SCWStanding Column Well
SPFSeasonal Performance Factor
TCThermal Conductivity
VFDVariable Frequency Drive
VRFVariable Refrigerant Flow
WSHPWater Source Heat Pump
WTAWater to Air
WTWWater to Water