Switching from open loop to air to air heat pump

TimothyE42

I had to stop using my open loop geothermal system and install a whole new air to air heat pump system.
Winter is harsh here, so I’m wondering if there will be any negative effects since the pond I was dumping the water into is now frozen. Any issues I should be aware of regarding the drain pipe that goes into the pond, etc.?

pecmsg

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/199691/switching-from-open-loop-to-air-to-air-heat-pump

is the pipe drained?

ethicalpaul

I admit I'm really confused what your question is. you are no longer dumping into the pond, so that pipe is unused now, correct?

What issues are you thinking of?

You didn't ask about this, but you said you're in a harsh winter climate so I fear you won't get nearly the performance from air that you got from the relatively warmer water you were pumping (32-50 degree water has a lot more heat energy in it than say, 0-10 degree air)

But I'm always happy to hear of better technology air-to-air heat pumps used in cold climates, so I'd love to be wrong

DCContrarian

"But I'm always happy to hear of better technology air-to-air heat pumps used in cold climates, so I'd love to be wrong."

New technologies like modulating speed compressors and vapor injection, which are now common-place in air-source heat pumps, haven't made it to water-to-water heat pumps yet. A heat pump with a modulating compressor can be 30% more efficient at its lowest modulation than at its highest. When compared with a non-modulating water-source heat pump that has to cycle at high speed / low efficiency, the greater efficiency at low loads can make up for the difference in source temperatures.

It's hard to make an apples-to-apples comparison, but there are air-source heat pump manufacturers who claim to meet the Energy Star requirements for ground-source heat pumps.

It's pretty clear the market is speaking and ground-source is pretty dead while air-source is ascendant.

Jamie Hall

The drain pipe is probably empty by now, so it's not a concern.

Whatever may have been living in that pond, though, is probably very unhappy with the change…

TimothyE42

Thanks for the responses! I guess I’m most concerned about pipes freezing and causing damage because there’s no water going through them now from the well. I have two hose bibs outside that are connected to the well water, but nothing else. I assume the discharge/drain pipe is empty at least down to the pond. The rest of the house is on city water, so I suppose I can have those two outdoor lines rerouted/connected to the city water. I’ll check with my well company and a plumber. Sorry, I’m an idiot when it comes to geothermal systems (and many other things).

Jamie Hall

OK. Those two hose bibbs may be toast, or the pipes to them, unless it was PEX which can usually take a freeze. If the well is a submersible the drop pipe may or not be OK… you'll find out come spring when you go to use it.