Westinghouse Introduces Earthdirex Geothermal Heat Pump

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Westinghouse HVAC has jumped into the geothermal heat pump market with the EarthDirEX geothermal direct geoexchange heat pump system. This new geothermal heat pump (model Y1SA) offers 19+ EER cooling and 3.8+ heating in 2, 3, 4, and 5 ton capacities. This model stands out from other geothermal heat pump systems because of its reduced drilling costs and all-refrigerant design.

“Earth loops” are used in this system in order to reduce drilling. These underground refrigerant tubes are inserted into one or two 5- to 6-inch diameter boreholes drilled to depths of 400 feet or less. Here, the tubes are able to access the natural heating and cooling power of the earth.

“About half of the installation costs associated with geothermal heat pump systems come from drilling,” says Dave Garvin, Westinghouse product manager. “Since the EarthDirEX system reduces drilling, the Y1SA is the most cost-effective geothermal heat pump.”

This new geothermal system is 100 percent refrigerant. Other geothermal systems transfer heat from the refrigerant, to water, then to the earth and back again. Because this model is all-refrigerant, the necessity for an earth-to-water heat exchanging component is eliminated – meaning this system is able to transfer heat more efficiently.

Additional features include:

• Anteater MC Micro-Channel coils for superior corrosion resistance.
• Fewer parts to service and less potential for breakdowns due to only two moving parts – a compressor and a fan.
• Electronic expansion valve, as opposed to a thermal expansion valve, for more precise refrigerant control.

This model includes a five-year, out-of-the-box parts warranty. However, when the EarthDirEX system is registered, it includes a 10-year parts warranty and a 10-year replacement guarantee on the system’s compressor.

For further information on this all-new, cost-effective geothermal heat pump system, contractors and distributors can visit www.westinghousehvac.com.