Importance

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Abstract

A cooling and heating system may include a first heat exchange loop and a second heat exchange loop. The first heat exchange loop may include a first heat transfer fluid contained in a first pipe loop effective for passing the first heat transfer fluid between a set of functional elements remote from each other. The first pipe loop optionally includes an underground portion extending into the ground to a depth of at least 5 feet. The first heat exchange loop may also include a chiller effective for providing refrigerated air to a refrigerated space, with the first chiller using the first heat transfer fluid to cool air for the refrigerated space. The first heat exchange loop may also include a manifold for selectively directing heat transfer fluid from said the chiller to one or more remote functional elements. The first heat exchange loop may also include a heat pump effective for receiving the first heat transfer fluid and for using the first heat transfer fluid to warm air for a living or working space when heating is desired for the living/working space, and additionally effective for using a second heat transfer fluid to cool air for a living or working space when cooling is desired for the living/working space. The first heat exchange loop may also include a water heater that uses the first heat transfer fluid to transfer heat to a first fluid differing in composition from said heat transfer fluid. The second heat exchange loop may have a second heat transfer fluid contained in a second pipe loop effective for passing the second heat transfer fluid between an underground portion and the heat pump of the first heat exchange system, with the second pipe loop optionally including an underground portion extending into the ground to a depth of at least 5 feet. The system may include valves for selectively controlling the flow of the first and second heat transfer fluids to and from the first heat pump such that heat transfer fluid may be directed to or from the first heat pump to or from either said first pipe loop or said second pipe loop, or both.

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First Claim