Ground Source Heat Pumps

 

Ground Source Heat Pumps must meet Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations before they can qualify for the ENERGY STAR symbol in Canada.

Criteria for ENERGY STAR Qualified Ground Source Heat Pumps

Product
Type		 Energy Efficiency Ratio
(EER)		 Coefficient of Performance
(COP)
Closed Loop >= 14.1 >= 3.3
Open Loop >= 16.2 >= 3.6
Direct Expansion >= 15.0 >= 3.5

Note: the EER and COP criteria listed above apply to both ground source heat pumps with and without integrated water heating.

Cost Savings for ENERGY STAR Qualified Ground Source Heat Pumps

Below is a comparison of ENERGY STAR versus non-ENERGY STAR qualified products, based on the ENERGY STAR Simple Savings Calculator, Version 6.0. The calculator allows users to quantify expected energy and cost savings and estimate greenhouse gas emission reductions. This information can be used in business cases comparing ENERGY STAR qualified products and non-qualified products.

Cost-Savings Example
Equipment 200 Closed Loop Ground Source Heat Pumps
(15 year life)
ENERGY STAR Non-ENERGY STAR
Annual Lifetime Annual Lifetime
Energy Consumption
(kWh) 		2,154,025 32,310,381 2,536,167 38,042,511
Energy Cost
(@ 11.6¢/kWh) 		$250,102 $2,140,742 $294,472 $2,520,528
Maintenance Cost $0 $0 $0 $0
Total Operating Cost $250,102 $2,140,742 $294,472 $2,520,528
Purchase Price   $4,000,000   $4,000,000
Total Life-cycle Cost   $6,140,742   $6,520,528
Total Energy Savings
(kWh) 		382,142 5,732,130    
Total Energy and
Maintenance Cost Savings 		$44,370 $379,785    
Emissions savings
(kg CO2) 		76,428 1,146,426    
Payback Period 0 years (based on initial purchase price of $20,000 per unit)

The emissions savings resulting from purchasing 200 ENERGY STAR qualified closed loop ground source heat pumps, instead of 200 non-qualified units, are equivalent to:

  • planting 7,490 trees.
  • removing 19 cars from the road annually.

Sample Procurement Language for ENERGY STAR Qualified Ground Source Heat Pumps

You may wish to use the following procurement language in contracts to ensure you receive ENERGY STAR qualified ground source heat pumps. As with all purchases, be sure to ask the appropriate questions to ensure that you get exactly what you want.

The vendor must

  • Provide ground source heat pumps that meet the ENERGY STAR specifications for energy efficiency. This means that high-efficiency ground source heat pumps
    • have a minimum EER of 14.1 for close loop systems, 16.2 for open loop systems and 15.0 for direct expansion systems
    • have a minimum COP of 3.3 for close loop systems, 3.6 for open loop systems and 3.5 for direct expansion systems.
  • Be properly trained on the following issues:
    • proper equipment installation and hookup;
    • domestic water-heater connection for desuperheater or integrated water heating; and code compliance.
  • Ensure that the heat pump is properly sized for the conditioned space to ensure optimal operational cycles and comfort.
  • Ensure that ENERGY STAR qualified models meet user requirements for performance, reliability and cost-effectiveness.

For bulk purchases and/or lease/maintenance agreements, include the provisions that - where applicable - the vendor must

  • Deliver all qualified products properly configured for current ENERGY STAR specifications.
  • Ensure that installation services include the full activation and proper configuration of any automatic energy-saving, power-down and/or power management features in order to maximize energy efficiency.
  • Ensure that maintenance services include the full re-activation and proper re-configuration of any automatic energy-saving, power-down and/or power management features to the terms of the current ENERGY STAR specifications at the time of service.
  • Customize sites and train users in order to maximize the energy efficiency of installed products.
  • Not disable power-management features except at the specific request of site staff.
  • Provide on-going customer support on all energy-saving, power-down and power management features.

Information Resources on Ground Source Heat Pumps

List of models

NRCan maintains a list of ENERGY STAR qualified ground source heat pumps sold in Canada. The list can be found on the Canadian ENERGY STAR Web site.

The on-line searchable database of qualified models (which can be saved as a list) includes the following information:

  1. Application (closed loop; open loop; direct expansion)
  2. Water Heating
  3. Brand
  4. Model Number
  5. Cooling Capacity – in Btu/h and kW
  6. Heating Capacity – in Btu/h and kW
  7. COP (cooling)
  8. COP (heating)

How to Access

List of models: Ground source heat pumps

Product specifications for ground source heat pumps are available on the ENERGY STAR website.

Original Data Source

Data supplied to EPA and NRCan by participating manufacturers.

Update Frequency

ENERGY STAR criteria are updated as required.

The list of qualified models on the ENERGY STAR website is updated as manufacturers report new information.

Definitions

Ground Source Heat Pump – It uses the thermal energy of the ground or groundwater as the heat source and heat sink for residential space heating and/or cooling. It may provide both space heating and cooling, cooling-only or heating-only functions. A ground source heat pump model consists of one or more factory-made assemblies that normally include an indoor conditioning coil with a means of moving air, compressor(s) and refrigerant to fluid heat exchanger(s). In addition, some or all of the domestic water heating shall be provided through the use of a desuperheater, integrated demand water heater or a separately installed compressor that provides demand water heating. The ground source heat pump includes all the equipment and connections from the point at which the ground heat exchanger enters the house, except for indoor equipment that was installed by someone not representing the manufacturer or manufacturer's representative such as the ground heat exchanger installer.

Closed Loop System – A ground heat exchanger in which the heat transfer fluid is contained in a closed system.

Open Loop System – A ground heat exchanger in which the heat transfer fluid is part of a larger environment. The most common open loop systems use ground water or surface water as the heat transfer medium.

Direct Expansion (DX) – A ground source heat pump system in which the refrigerant is circulated in pipes buried in the ground, rather than using a heat transfer fluid, such as water or antifreeze solution, in a separate closed loop and fluid to refrigerant heat exchanger. A DX system includes all of the equipment both inside and outside the house. DX systems may be single-speed or multi-speed.

Integrated Demand Water Heating – This term is used to describe ground source heat pumps that include a water heating function in the refrigeration cycle. Integrated demand water heating differs from a desuperheater in that the integrated demand water heating model provides all or nearly all of the domestic hot water needs and provides hot water even when space conditioning is not required. This includes systems that employ the use of a separate water heating compressor unit or that use the same conditioning and water heating. It is also sometimes referred to as full-demand or demand water heating.

Coefficient of Performance (COP) – A measure of efficiency in the heating mode that represents the ratio of total heating capacity to electrical energy input.

Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) – A measure of efficiency in the cooling mode that represents the ratio of total cooling capacity to electrical energy input. For DX systems, the EER will be calculated in accordance with CSA Standard C748-94 Performance of Direct Expansion (DX) Ground Source Heat Pump conditions.

Test Standard

CAN/CSA 13256-1, "Performance of Ground-Source Heat Pumps."

Product Specification Summary

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