RANDOLPH, Mass. — Emerson-Swan Inc. announced its representation of GeoStar geothermal heat pumps in New England and Upstate New York. GeoStar is a division of WaterFurnace International, one of the largest geothermal heat pump manufacturers in North America.

The GeoStar line was recently launched specifically for the plumbing-heating-HVAC distribution channel. It consists of water-to-air and water-to-water heat pumps from 1.5 up to 7 tons, depending on the unit type. The manufacturer also supplies ground-loop tubing, as well as all pumps and accessories for a complete system.

Geothermal units use the solar energy stored in the ground to provide heating, air conditioning, and hot water. The earth acts as a giant solar panel, absorbing roughly half of the sun’s heat energy. Typically, a series of pipes called a closed loop is buried just below the frost line or inserted in a deep well to tap into that stored energy. Sometimes water pumped from an existing well is used in what is called an open-loop configuration. In the winter, heat is brought in through the loop, concentrated, and delivered throughout a home or building. During summer, excess heat inside is removed and delivered back to the earth, completing the cycle.

Emerson-Swan said it has made it a priority to enter the renewable energy arena, which consists of a host of products, concepts, and systems that utilize sun, wind, tidal, and other sources of free energy that can be converted to heat, hot water, and/or electricity. Other related high-efficiency products the company represents include A.O. Smith’s Vertex water heaters, Taco’s outdoor reset controls, and Smith’s Heating Edge Hybrid heating element. A new training class that focuses specifically on geothermal technology is in the works and will be introduced in the fall of 2009.

For more information, call 800-346-9215 or e-mail info@emersonswan.com.

Publication date: 09/14/2009