University of Maine Mechanical Engineering Department
Senior Design Project 2009-2010



 

Welcome to the University of Maine's Department of Mechanical Engineering Residential Heat Pump design project web page. This year our goal is to design and build a "Hybrid Heat Pump," which is a combination of geothermal and cold climate heat pump technologies. This unit is designed to provide heating and air conditioning for residential and commercial buildings. Conventional heating sources would compliment the heat pump as needed in extreme cold climates. We will use state-of-the-art technology to provide optimal controls and heating.
Benefits of Glycol Loop Heat Pump System


1.    Includes benefits of Cold Climate Heat Pump and Geothermal Heat Pump without the cost of drilling expensive wells

2.    Flexibility

  • Double efficiency/capacity of solar collectors by heating loop to 35- 50 F
  • Melt sidewalk snow in winter
  • Ice storage for peak electric demand benefits
  • Heat swimming pool in summer-rejected heat from AC
  • Numerous manufacturers for standard water source heat pumps including horizontal, vertical, console type units
  • Option for Wood Boiler
  • Can incorporate AUX heat (Gas, Oil, Electric, etc)

3.    Simple Installation
  • Outdoor Heat Pump comes in packaged unit- eliminates mistakes during installation
  • installed by any local plumbing/heating technician- no refrigeration expertise required

4.    Efficiency
  •    System efficiency greater than air source heat pumps and approaches geothermal
  •    Selective zoning allows different sections home to be heated at a time
  •    No cold air is blown inside during outdoor unit defrost