Geothermal heating and cooling systems are nothing new. They have been around for quite some time. But until recently, these highly efficient systems had been flying under the radar.
What is Geothermal Energy?
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are incredibly efficient because they utilize geothermal energy, which is energy stored in the ground. You see, the ground absorbs the sun’s energy everyday, storing it just a few feet below the surface. A Geothermal heat pump extracts this energy and uses it to either heat or cool your home, depending on the season.
Installing a Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
First, there are several factors to consider:
-The amount of property you own
-Will this system be a retrofit for your home or a new construction
Types of Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
-Horizontal (Closed-Loop Systems): Generally the most cost-effective option for residential use, horizontal geothermal heat pumps cut down on installation costs by utilizing a Slinky method of looping pipes in a shorter trench (5 feet deep and 2 feet wide).
-Vertical (Closed-Loop Systems): Most often used for large commercial buildings and schools, vertical geothermal heat pumps are perfect for areas where the land required for horizontal loops would be prohibitive. Vertical GHPs minimize the disturbance of existing landscape. Instead of long trenches, vertical systems utilize deep holes (4 inches in diameter and 100-400 feet deep).
-Pong/Lake (Closed-Loop Systems): If there is a body of water close by, this may be the most cost-effective option for you! A supply line pipe is run underground from the building to the water and coiled into circles at least eight feet under the surface of the water (this prevents freezing from becoming an issue).
-Open-Loop System: An open-loop geothermal heat pump utilizes well or surface body water as the heat exchange fluid throughout the GHP system. Once the water fully circulates through the system, it returns to the ground through the well, a recharge well, or surface discharge.
-Hybrid System: Hybrid geothermal heat pumps utilize several geothermal resources or a combination of geothermal sources and outdoor air. These types of systems are designed for areas where cooling needs are significantly larger than heating needs.
Benefits of Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
-Geothermal Energy is renewable
-Geothermal energy reduces acid rain created by the burning of fossil fuels by 97%
-Geothermal Heating and Cooling is incredibly efficient and cost-effective
-With very few moving parts, Geothermal heating and cooling systems are incredibly quiet and make little to no noise inside and outside the home.
-Underground piping often carries warranties of 25–50 years, while the heat pumps, themselves, often last 20 years or more.
If you’re interested in saving money and doing something good for the environment, a geothermal heat pump might be the answer. So if you have any questions about Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems, please contact Fresh Air Concepts by calling 1-800-708-4FAC or click here today!
Fresh Air Concept’s mission is simple… “To Be Your HVAC Contractor of Choice for All of Your Maryland Indoor Heating, Air Conditioning, and Air Purification Quality Needs”
We specialize in Heating, Air Conditioning, and Air Purification in both residential and commercial applications for the Maryland Area.
Superior customer service is and always will be our #1 priority. Fresh Air Concepts promises to provide you with highly qualified and professional, heating, air Conditioning, and air purification technicians. And remember, we are an award winning, factory authorized Carrier dealer!
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Sources:
Geothermal Energy – Green Heating and Cooling Solution
