Geothermal heat pumps harness the temperature of the ground or the groundwater and use it to heat or cool your home. This process utilizes the natural temperature of the earth to control the indoor climate of your home.
A loop with a compressor takes heat from the ground and pumps it into the inside heating loop, circulating the natural heat throughout the house. In the summer months, a geothermal heat pump will work in reverse, channeling the warmer air and forcing it into the ground. This prevents the air conditioner from having to work extra hard to cool your home.
Geothermal heat pumps are an extremely energy efficient way to heat and cool your home. They can use up to 50% less energy than traditional heating and cooling systems.
A major benefit to using these energy saving heat systems is that you won’t have to worry about what the external air temperature is or the conditions of the weather outside. They do not depend on the air temperature outside, but rather the temperature of the ground. This means that your geothermal air system will work just as efficiently on a mild day as a blustery winter day.
There are two types of geothermal heat pump, water-to-water and water-to-air. A water-to-water heat pump is usually used for heating only and is a replacement for the conventional oil or gas furnace. These pumps work best when the ground temperature averages between 50 and 75 degrees and are suitable for heating water for bathroom and kitchen use.
Water-to-air heat pumps are most often used for both heating and air conditioning. The water acts as a heat sink that takes in the heat from the house. The air is then circulated around the home through the ductwork. In a heating capacity, a water-to-air geothermal heat pump works similarly to the water-to-water geothermal pump.
In order for you to take full advantage of the benefits these energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can offer, you first need to make sure your home is well insulated. By minimizing heat or cooling leakage through unsealed windows or doors, you can ensure your geothermal system can work to its maximum efficiency. The less it needs to run, the more money you save on utility bills.
If you’re considering having a geothermal heat pump installed, make sure you consult an experienced heating and cooling company that can properly put in piping that reaches far through the ground. In some of these new heating and cooling systems, the piping needs to reach as far down as the ground water table. Contracting a company that has extensive experience in geothermal heat pump installation will ensure that your system will run properly and at its highest efficiency.
