Maalämpöpumpun

Maalämpöpumppu, also known as a ground source heat pump, is a renewable energy system that utilizes the stable temperature of the earth to provide heating and cooling for buildings. This system works by transferring heat from the ground into a building during winter and reversing the process to transfer heat out of the building during summer. The core components of a geothermal system include a ground loop (a network of pipes buried underground), a heat pump unit, and a distribution system within the building, typically radiant floor heating or forced-air systems.

The ground loop is filled with a mixture of water and antifreeze, which circulates through the earth. The earth's temperature remains relatively constant year-round, typically between 7 and 15 degrees Celsius depending on the location and depth. In winter, this ground temperature is warmer than the outside air, allowing the fluid in the ground loop to absorb heat. This absorbed heat is then transferred to the refrigerant in the heat pump. The heat pump compresses the refrigerant, significantly increasing its temperature. This high-temperature heat is then used to warm the building's interior.

In the summer, the process is reversed. The heat pump extracts heat from the building and transfers it to the fluid circulating in the ground loop. The ground, being cooler than the building's interior during hot weather, absorbs this heat. The cooled fluid then circulates back into the building to continue the cooling process. Geothermal systems are known for their energy efficiency, as they move heat rather than generate it, resulting in lower energy consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional heating and cooling methods.