Jordsløyfe

Jordsløyfe, literally translating to "earth loop" or "ground loop" in English, refers to a type of geothermal heating and cooling system. This system utilizes the relatively stable temperature of the earth beneath the frost line to exchange heat with a building. It is a form of ground-source heat pump technology.

The core component of a jordsløyfe system is a network of pipes, called a ground loop, buried horizontally or vertically in the ground. This loop is filled with a fluid, typically a mixture of water and antifreeze, which circulates through the pipes. In winter, the fluid absorbs heat from the earth, which is warmer than the outside air. This warmed fluid is then pumped to a heat pump inside the building, where the heat is extracted and used to warm the interior. In summer, the process is reversed. The heat pump removes heat from the building and transfers it to the fluid in the ground loop, which then dissipates the heat into the cooler earth.

Jordsløyfe systems are known for their energy efficiency, as they leverage the earth's thermal mass rather than relying solely on ambient air temperatures, which can fluctuate significantly. This leads to lower energy consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional heating and cooling systems. The installation requires significant excavation, but the buried ground loops are generally low maintenance and have a long lifespan. The effectiveness of a jordsløyfe system is dependent on factors such as soil type, moisture content, and the length and depth of the buried loop.