Benefits of Geothermal

Geothermal Heat Pump

One of the primary benefits of geothermal heating and cooling is the technology's ability to utilize the temperature of the earth itself. A geothermal heat pump, also called a ground-coupled heat pump is a high efficiency unit unparalleled by conventional systems. With any type of heat pump, heat is simply "moved around" to obtain the desired indoor climate. Heat from moderate temperatures of the earth is concentrated into the living space. The process is reversed for cooling.

A geothermal heat pump works like an ordinary heat pump except for the way heat is dispersed from the refrigerant. The typical conventional heating and air system displaces heat from interior spaces to the outside air via a refrigerant like Freon. The outdoor unit blows air across superheated copper coils displacing heat to the air—a process that becomes less and less efficient in plunging or raging outdoor temperatures.

A geothermal heat pump displaces heat from interior spaces to water by the very same process. Water is pumped underground and heat is exhanged with the earth by conduction. Efficacy is enhanced using water to transfer heat as opposed to air because of its high thermal mass (which is why automobiles are water cooled and not air cooled). Because water flows through a ground coupled network of piping embedded in constant 55 to 60 degree temperatures, efficiency is maximized, thus maximizing this benefit of geothermal heating and cooling.

Alternative Energy

Another one of the benefits of geothermal is that it is perhaps the best form of alternative energy - it's all around us, we're standing on it right now! Earth’s constant underground climate is an abundant, clean, and renewable energy source. Earth’s inherent heat is simply "moved" into the living space without the need of a furnace. You conserve fossil fuel, save on power bills, and reap the safety of avoiding flames and carbon monoxide. There is a tremendous savings in energy costs, because of the high ratio of heat energy gained verses energy expended.

Even the most efficient traditional air to air heat pump requires electric resistance heat or gas to take over or to supplement when outside temperatures fall below 40 degrees and begin to reach freezing.   At those temperatures, the alternative falls back to traditional gas or electric heat, and the power bills stack up.  Back up heat is not necessary in a geothermal system regardless of outdoor extremes.

Geothermal heating and cooling is an investment that actually pays a return.  Because you will save at least half on your heating, cooling and hot water bills, you will pay for the additional cost of the system in five to seven years.  After the pay back period, you receive a premium each and every month in the form of lower power bills. What a pleasant benefit of geothermal heating and cooling!

Imagine opening your gas bill after alternating periods of cold and miserable cold. You hope for the best but are prepared for the worst. Your eyes pop out when you get the first glimpse. Sweat beads pour from your overheated forehead and rage erupts from within your bowels.

You leap to your feet, shoot outside, pounce on the gas meter and clinch your fists around its vital arteries . You plant both feet on the side of the house and tug and pull, warping and twisting until you finally hogtie the over indulgent gas meter and lynch it to the side of the house. You gleefully laugh as it chokes on its own bitter fumes.

Then you wake up....

Hot Water

Another one of the benefits of geothermal is free hot water! Because hot water is a by-product of cooling, domestic hot water is free during the summer months utilizing the optional desuperheater built into the unit. It can be provided during winter months for a forth of the usual costs using a priority hot water heater built into the system, which is also optional.

Geothermal systems can be a money saver for both homes and businesses that use a lot of hot water. Estimate your hot water bill and divide by 4 to get an idea of the savings you could be realizing—that is if you need to pay for it at all. Heated hot water can also be provided for radiant heating systems by the same unit that heats the air and domestic hot water.

Picture the outdoor section of a standard heat pump buried underground! Better yet, picture it gone. There is no unsightly or noisy equipment and heat is exchanged in a stable underground environment. Your high flying electric power meter has been targeted and brought back to earth. Life is good, take adavantage of the benefits of geothermal today!