[GHPS] Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
Unearthed Online Anytime Certification
Review Guide
**Question 1.** Which law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or
destroyed in a geothermal heat pump system?
A) Zeroth Law
B) First Law
C) Second Law
D) Third Law
Answer: B
Explanation: The First Law (conservation of energy) applies to GHPS, ensuring that the heat
extracted from the ground plus electrical input equals the heat delivered to the conditioned
space.
**Question 2.** In a geothermal heat pump, the Coefficient of Performance (COP) is defined as:
A) Heating output ÷ Electrical input
B) Cooling output ÷ Electrical input
C) Electrical input ÷ Total heat transferred
D) Heating output ÷ Cooling output
Answer: A
Explanation: COP = useful heating energy delivered / electrical energy consumed. It is typically
>1, often 3–5 for GHPS.
**Question 3.** The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) is primarily used to rate which mode of
operation?
A) Heating
B) Cooling
C) Defrost
, [GHPS] Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
Unearthed Online Anytime Certification
Review Guide
D) Hot water production
Answer: B
Explanation: EER = cooling capacity (BTU/hr) ÷ electrical power (W) and is used for cooling
performance.
**Question 4.** Compared to an air‑source heat pump, a properly sized ground‑source heat
pump can achieve up to what percentage increase in seasonal efficiency?
A) 50‑100%
B) 150‑200%
C) 300‑600%
D) 800‑1000%
Answer: C
Explanation: GHPS operate in a relatively constant ground temperature, yielding 3–6 times the
efficiency of ASHPs.
**Question 5.** Which of the following is *not* a typical environmental benefit of geothermal
heat pump systems?
A) Reduced CO₂ emissions
B) Decreased reliance on fossil fuels
C) Increased peak grid demand
D) Lower noise pollution
Answer: C
Explanation: GHPS actually reduce peak grid demand because they consume less electricity for
the same heating/cooling load.
, [GHPS] Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
Unearthed Online Anytime Certification
Review Guide
**Question 6.** The typical simple payback period for a residential geothermal system is:
A) 1‑2 years
B) 2‑8 years
C) 10‑15 years
D) 20‑30 years
Answer: B
Explanation: Savings on energy bills usually offset the higher upfront cost within 2–8 years.
**Question 7.** A vertical borehole loop is most appropriate when:
A) There is abundant surface land
B) The site has limited space and deep drillable ground
C) The water table is high
D) The climate is extremely hot
Answer: B
Explanation: Vertical boreholes require deep drilling but a small footprint, ideal for tight sites.
**Question 8.** In a horizontal loop field, the minimum depth of the trench should be:
A) Above the frost line
B) Exactly at the frost line
C) Below the frost line
D) 1 m regardless of climate
Answer: C
Explanation: Placing loops below the frost line ensures they remain in relatively constant
temperature ground.
, [GHPS] Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
Unearthed Online Anytime Certification
Review Guide
**Question 9.** Which loop type utilizes a natural water body as the heat exchange medium?
A) Vertical borehole loop
B) Horizontal trench loop
C) Surface water (pond/lake) loop
D) Standing column well
Answer: C
Explanation: Pond or lake loops place the heat exchange coils directly in the water, using its
thermal mass.
**Question 10.** In an open‑loop groundwater system, “pump‑and‑dump” refers to:
A) Recycling the same water back into the aquifer
B) Discharging used water to a separate disposal site
C) Using a closed‑loop heat exchanger within the well
D) Pumping water only for domestic hot water
Answer: B
Explanation: Pump‑and‑dump extracts water, uses it for heat exchange, then discharges it,
typically to a sanitary sewer.
**Question 11.** A standing column well is best suited for:
A) Small residential applications
B) High‑capacity commercial loads in deep, permeable formations
C) Sites with no access to groundwater
D) Shallow sandy soils only
Unearthed Online Anytime Certification
Review Guide
**Question 1.** Which law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or
destroyed in a geothermal heat pump system?
A) Zeroth Law
B) First Law
C) Second Law
D) Third Law
Answer: B
Explanation: The First Law (conservation of energy) applies to GHPS, ensuring that the heat
extracted from the ground plus electrical input equals the heat delivered to the conditioned
space.
**Question 2.** In a geothermal heat pump, the Coefficient of Performance (COP) is defined as:
A) Heating output ÷ Electrical input
B) Cooling output ÷ Electrical input
C) Electrical input ÷ Total heat transferred
D) Heating output ÷ Cooling output
Answer: A
Explanation: COP = useful heating energy delivered / electrical energy consumed. It is typically
>1, often 3–5 for GHPS.
**Question 3.** The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) is primarily used to rate which mode of
operation?
A) Heating
B) Cooling
C) Defrost
, [GHPS] Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
Unearthed Online Anytime Certification
Review Guide
D) Hot water production
Answer: B
Explanation: EER = cooling capacity (BTU/hr) ÷ electrical power (W) and is used for cooling
performance.
**Question 4.** Compared to an air‑source heat pump, a properly sized ground‑source heat
pump can achieve up to what percentage increase in seasonal efficiency?
A) 50‑100%
B) 150‑200%
C) 300‑600%
D) 800‑1000%
Answer: C
Explanation: GHPS operate in a relatively constant ground temperature, yielding 3–6 times the
efficiency of ASHPs.
**Question 5.** Which of the following is *not* a typical environmental benefit of geothermal
heat pump systems?
A) Reduced CO₂ emissions
B) Decreased reliance on fossil fuels
C) Increased peak grid demand
D) Lower noise pollution
Answer: C
Explanation: GHPS actually reduce peak grid demand because they consume less electricity for
the same heating/cooling load.
, [GHPS] Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
Unearthed Online Anytime Certification
Review Guide
**Question 6.** The typical simple payback period for a residential geothermal system is:
A) 1‑2 years
B) 2‑8 years
C) 10‑15 years
D) 20‑30 years
Answer: B
Explanation: Savings on energy bills usually offset the higher upfront cost within 2–8 years.
**Question 7.** A vertical borehole loop is most appropriate when:
A) There is abundant surface land
B) The site has limited space and deep drillable ground
C) The water table is high
D) The climate is extremely hot
Answer: B
Explanation: Vertical boreholes require deep drilling but a small footprint, ideal for tight sites.
**Question 8.** In a horizontal loop field, the minimum depth of the trench should be:
A) Above the frost line
B) Exactly at the frost line
C) Below the frost line
D) 1 m regardless of climate
Answer: C
Explanation: Placing loops below the frost line ensures they remain in relatively constant
temperature ground.
, [GHPS] Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
Unearthed Online Anytime Certification
Review Guide
**Question 9.** Which loop type utilizes a natural water body as the heat exchange medium?
A) Vertical borehole loop
B) Horizontal trench loop
C) Surface water (pond/lake) loop
D) Standing column well
Answer: C
Explanation: Pond or lake loops place the heat exchange coils directly in the water, using its
thermal mass.
**Question 10.** In an open‑loop groundwater system, “pump‑and‑dump” refers to:
A) Recycling the same water back into the aquifer
B) Discharging used water to a separate disposal site
C) Using a closed‑loop heat exchanger within the well
D) Pumping water only for domestic hot water
Answer: B
Explanation: Pump‑and‑dump extracts water, uses it for heat exchange, then discharges it,
typically to a sanitary sewer.
**Question 11.** A standing column well is best suited for:
A) Small residential applications
B) High‑capacity commercial loads in deep, permeable formations
C) Sites with no access to groundwater
D) Shallow sandy soils only
