What if we told you that you could heat and cool your home or office 24 hours a day with a free energy source that was located just below your feet? If that sounds too good to be true, let us introduce you to the wonders of Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs).
How Geothermal Exchange Systems Work
While air temperatures can fluctuate significantly from season to season, the temperature of the ground just a few feet below the Earth's surface remains relatively constant. Geothermal systems take advantage of that consistent source of natural heat energy, using it to keep your home comfortable year-round. How do they do it? Well, a series of pipes, called loops, are buried underground and filled with water. When the water is circulated through the loops, it absorbs heat from the ground surrounding the pipes and transfers it to your heat pump. The heat pump then compresses all of that warmth and disperses it throughout your home or business. In warmer months, the system works in reverse, absorbing the heat from your home and releasing it into the ground. That, in turn, cools the water which is then circulated back into your home.
The Benefits of Geothermal Heat Pumps
- They Do It All
Toasty warm in the winter and refreshingly cool in the summer, GHPs provide you with total home comfort, every month of the year. But that's not all these amazing systems are capable of: with the right set up, GHPs can heat your home's water and even warm your pool. - They're ultra-efficient and highly durable
For every unit of energy required to run a GHP, it produces an amazing 3-6 times that amount in return. That means huge savings on your utility bills (up to 80%!), particularly in comparison to traditional air-source heating and cooling systems. Although geothermal systems can be more expensive to install, with their increased efficiency and low maintenance, you'll recoup the additional outlay in just 5 to 10 years. Plus, GHP components last, on average, 25 years while the ground loop can be expected to last 50 years and beyond, so your system will be paying dividends for decades to come. - They're environmentally friendly
GHPs use the natural warmth produced by the Earth, meaning there's no combustion or burning of fossil fuels. Combine that with the minimal amount of electricity required to run the fan, compressor, and pump, and your carbon footprint is virtually nonexistent. Plus, the systems are silent and invisible. - They can be installed anywhere
There's a common misconception that, in order to install a geothermal home heating and cooling system, your home needs to be positioned above a natural vent or hot spring. As noted above, nothing could be further from the truth. Plus, loops can be installed in a number of layouts, including vertically, meaning they don't require a bunch of surface square footage to put in.
If you'd like to learn more about this clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy source, or would like to get a free quote, contact your local heat pump experts at Energy Exchange today.
