Introduction:

The acronym HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It usually refers to technology and appliances that regulate indoor environmental comfort. The design of HVAC systems are based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. The Green Machine will feature a mockup of a geothermal heat source (actually an external water source) which will be used to heat, or cool the internal space. By making temperature readings, students will understand how geothermal pumps are a “green” technology.

Objectives:

Students will be able to

• make temperature measurements
• compare these temperatures to those at typical geothermal system depths
• explore the advantages and differences between a geothermal heating/cooling system and other systems

What the student will experience at this station:

Students will observe and take readings of the air temperature both in and out of the heat pump. Similarly they will take the readings of the glycol solution going in and out. Depending on the function of the heat pump i.e. heating or cooling, they will be able to see that heat energy is being pumped into or out of the earth.