Since the beginning of time, the earth has absorbed and stored vast amounts of energy from the sun, more than enough to satisfy the worlds total energy needs. But it has only been in the last forty years that man has unlocked the secret to using this enourmous warehouse of energy to both heat and cool homes and other buildings throughout all the seasons. Since the late 1940's Climate Master has been perfecting Geo-Thermal Heat Pumps so that today you can enjoy cost savings of up to 60% verses other types of heating and air conditioning systems - even when compared to standard heat pumps and gas furnaces.

How does this Geo-Thermal wonder work? By taking advantage of the near constant temperature of the earth which exists only a few feet below the surface. For example, when cooling, air-to-air heat pumps and other air conditioning units found in most homes actually remove heat from the air in the building through their compressorized refrigeration mechanisms and move the heat to the outdoors where they attempt to expel it into the air. As summer progresses and the average daytime temperature rises, these other units find it more difficult to expel this heat into hot air - the system actually loses efficiency and labors to keep up with cooling demands. In contrast, the Geo-Thermal Heat Pump uses the same type of compressorized refrigeration system to remove the heat from the building, but it transfers the heat into the temperate earth and not into hot air. Because it is easier to move heat into the cooler earth than into the sweltering summer air, Geo-Thermal Heat Pumps do not have to work as hard to cool your home. This efficiency has a bottom line - substantial savings reflected in your monthly utility bill.

When heating, the compressor system of the Geo-Thermal Heat Pump uses the heat energy stored in the earth to efficiently heat your home or building while other heat pump systems are laboring to gather heat from the frigid outdoor air, or are even freezing up. Because Geo-Thermal Heat Pumps utilize such a large amount of the earth's stored energy, they are typically more efficient than even heaters which burn environmentally damaging fossil fuels.

ClimateMaster Geo-Thermal Heat Pumps exchange heat energy with the earth through a heat exchanger which is buried below the earth's surface. The heat exchanger, called a "ground loop" is simply a series of polybutylene or high density polyethylene pipes which is connected to the Geo-Thermal Heat Pump unit installed in your home. Liquid is circulated through the pipes and the unit, channeling heat to or from the unit. The amount of pipe and fluid necessary depends on a number of factors, including local climate, ground compositions, and air conditioning and heating load requirments.

There are various ways your ground loop can be installed including vertically in bore-holes and horizontally in trenches. Your local ClimateMast er dealer will recommend the one most suitable and cost efficient for your particular situation.

Where space and ground composition permits, the Horizontal Ground Loop is the most popular arrangement. Either a single pipe or a series of parallel pipes are laid in a trench, and the trench is backfilled, leaving you with the uninterrupted natural beauty of your yard.

Where more appropriate, a vertical Ground Loop may be installed in vertical holes which are usually 50 to 200 feet deep. Each hole contains a single loop of pipe. After the pipe is inserted, the hole is backfilled. The number of loops (holes) required depends on the air conditioning and heating load and the total depth of each hole. When complete, there are no visible signs of the loop.

Because of the excellent thermal properties of water, when a pond, lake or other body of water is conveniently located, a Pond/Lake Loop may be submersed in the water. Since the body of water exchanges heat with the earth, this can be an excellent and cost efficient application of the system.

Finally, where ground water is plentiful, an Open Loop may be attached to the Geo-Thermal Unit. In this application, the temperate ground water is pumped to the unit from a well. Upon leaving the unit, the water is pumped back into the ground via a different well.