Geothermal heating, it's a great and convenient way to cool your house as an alternative to an AC. You may be thinking how can that be when the term has the word heating in its name but we're here to clear everything up and show you how it works.
A geothermal heat pump is actually a two-in-one HVAC system used for both heating and cooling. Despite the misleading name, a geothermal heat pump is just as effective at cooling as it is at heating.
How does geothermal cooling work?
Geothermal heating works by moving temperature-conducting fluid through an underground loop of pipes beneath or near your home. This allows the fluid to collect the thermal energy deposited in the earth from the sun and your heat pump releases it, warming your home.
In the summer, the heat transfer process works in reverse. As air is circulated through your house, your heat pump removes heat from the air and transfers it to the fluid that circulates to the ground. Heat is removed and cool air is returned back to your home.
Geothermal cooling and conventional air conditioning
Cost and efficiency
A geothermal AC is more efficient than a conventional central AC. A geothermal heat pump can reduce your electricity use by 25 to 50 percent. An AC pumps indoor hot air into the outdoors but a heat pump releases heat into the cool underground. This process requires less energy and is more effective.
Conventional HVAC systems tend to have a lower upfront cost but higher operational costs, while the reverse is true of geothermal HVAC systems. They may have higher upfront costs but their operational costs are low.
Convenience
Geothermal is much more convenient than a conventional HVAC. You have one system for both heating and cooling and you don't have to manage installation and maintenance for a minimum of two separate pieces of HVAC equipment in your home.
A geothermal system is made up of two parts: ground loops and a heat pump. This simple, straightforward, and convenient system can provide both heating and cooling, which saves you money, space, and so many headaches.
Sustainability
Conventional central air conditioning systems have a life of 12 to 15 years. They also will have a decline in efficiency and require more and more maintenance. A geothermal system pump lasts over 20 years, and the underground looping system lasts well over 50 years. They have no exposure to the elements so they don't incur damage easily and maintain excellent efficiency.
Comfort
Conventional AC units are noisy and for good reason. They have to continuously pump indoor heat into the hot outdoors and this consumes a lot of energy. Geothermal AC systems in comparison are much quieter and you don't have to worry about overworking your AC.
The eco friendly alternative
Geothermal HVAC systems use only the earth’s temperature and electricity to generate heat or AC for your home. Geothermal is a healthy, safe, and sustainable alternative to conventional AC systems, which have negative consequences on both the environment and on human health.