Hackaday · Creativity & design

DIY Ground-Source Heat Pump from Salvaged A/C Unit

A YouTube creator repurposed a discarded window air conditioning unit into a functional ground-source heat pump, utilizing a buried PEX tubing loop for heat exchange.

The project involved modifying the air conditioner, originally designed as an air-source heat pump, to transfer heat into a water loop connected to tubing buried in the backyard. This setup allows the system to pump heat from the house into the cooler ground.

To adapt the unit, a custom tank was fabricated around the existing heat exchanger to facilitate heat transfer with water. The internal components of the air conditioner were largely kept stock to avoid releasing refrigerants.

Automation was achieved by connecting the unit to a programmable logic controller and a linear actuator, which physically presses the air conditioner's power button, controlled by a thermostat. While not conventional, the system is functional.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.