The water-source heat pump (WSHP) niche is a sub-market within the broader HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) industry. It primarily includes equipment used for heating and cooling buildings that utilize water as the heat exchange medium.

The water-source heat pump niche may also be referred to as the geothermal heat pump niche, as geothermal energy is used as a heat source for the pumps. Other related terms may include ground-source heat pumps, water-to-water heat pumps, and hydronic heat pumps.

 

Water-to-water heat pumps extract heat from a water source, such as a well, lake, or river, and transfer it to another water source for heating or cooling. They typically operate in a closed-loop system and can be used for space heating, domestic hot water, and pool heating.

 

Hydronic heat pumps, on the other hand, use water or a water-based solution, such as glycol, as the heat exchange medium in a closed-loop system. They can be used for both space heating and cooling and are often installed in radiant floor heating systems. Hydronic heat pumps are popular in commercial buildings, but they can also be used in residential applications.

To connect with the WSHP niche, individuals or businesses can attend industry events and conferences, join relevant organizations or associations, or network with vendors, consultants, and designers who work in this space. They may also conduct research on WSHP technology and the market to better understand the opportunities and challenges within this niche.