Abstract
Ground coupled heat pump systems (GCHP) are a good alternative to traditional systems forheating and cooling of buildings. A large number of ground coupled heat pump systems havebeen used in residential and commercial buildings throughout the world due to the attractiveadvantages of high efficiency and environmental friendliness and a wide range of systemconfiguration is available today. One of the main aspects that affect GCHP performance is dueto the effectiveness of the heat transfer process between the heat exchanger and the surroundingground. The aim of this paper is to design and assess the energy performance of a particular horizontalground heat exchanger characterized by a plate shape. Through a software simulation itsinfluence on the ground is studied and its application to a real case study is evaluated. Finally,hints about technical and economic advantages and drawbacks of this technology are put onevidence.