2008 Issue

UTAH ENGINEERS COUNCIL JOURNAL 27 with this type of system. Simple control systems can allow remote monitoring and automatic adjustments of the heat pumps, thereby ensuring very satisfactory climate control. These systems are remark- ably energy efficient and are essentially maintenance free. Routine filter replacement is the main maintenance requirement. Today’s heat pump technology is superior to the old, unreliable heat pumps of the 1970s and 1980s. The newer equipment efficiencies are continually being improved with exciting innovations like variable speed compressors. Installation costs for these types of systems have become very competitive when compared to conventional systems. There are also numerous utility company cash incentives that make choosing energy efficient systems even more attractive. Ground coupled, geothermal heat pump systems have become a superb answer to rising energy and construction costs. It is time for owners to begin asking themselves “why don’t we consider ground coupled heat pumps?” for their building projects. Mr. Reeder has more than 25 years of mechanical engineering experience. His areas of engineering expertise are in the design of ammonia refrigeration, HVAC, plumbing, energy analysis and geo-exchange heat pumps. He is a principal in Van Boerum & Frank Associates, Inc.