Gayle Davis, PE, CGD; Stanley Consultants, Austin, Texas

Six steps for designing ground heat exchangers

Designing ground-coupled heat pump (GCHP) HVAC systems requires careful consideration of system configuration and the ability to clearly navigate the design paths within the owner’s budget. A GCHP system can be either an economical system or a source of continual heartburn for the engineer and owner. Understanding GCHP design considerations and operational requirements is necessary to design an economical and efficient project.