What Are Geothermal Heating and Ventilation Systems for Homes?
Geothermal HVAC systems are an energy-efficient option that will lower your monthly utility bills for years to come, while conserving our planet's natural resources.
Power stations use energy from many different sources to produce electricity, such as coal, fossil fuels or nuclear fission. However, there’s another way to harness energy, and it’s cleaner, greener and more efficient. This alternative heat source is called geothermal energy.
Geothermal energy refers to the natural heat from inside the Earth. The center of the Earth is so hot that even rocks melt. This molten rock is called magma. Like an enormous oven, magma distributes heat through the Earth’s crust, keeping underground layers at a stable temperature even in places where the air is freezing.
The famous hot springs of Iceland and geysers of Yellowstone National Park are examples of geothermal energy in action. Magma sits closer to the Earth’s surface in these areas, and it naturally heats underground water and turns it into steam. Geothermal power plants take advantage of this heat source by digging deep wells into the Earth’s crust. Homes can use a small-scale version of this clean underground energy.
Geothermal energy is an excellent way to heat and cool homes. The Earth’s crust always stays at a stable temperature, no matter what the weather is like above ground. Geothermal HVAC systems take advantage of this fact to exchange warm or cool air inside the home. They provide air conditioning for residential areas, apartments and commercial buildings. Using the Earth’s natural properties, these units deliver heat to interiors in the winter and cool them down during summertime.
How Does Geothermal HVAC Work?
First, professionals have to dig deep trenches in the soil. Next, they install a long loop of underground pipes near the home. This horizontal or vertical series of pipes look similar to the coils of a car’s radiator. Water or another liquid coolant is continuously circulated through these pipes.
In the winter, a heat pump pushes cold water through the pipes into the ground, where it absorbs heat from the soil. This heat then gets converted into warm air and distributed through the house. The water, which is now cold again, is sent back into the ground, and the process repeats itself.
This same system also works in the summer months. This time, the ground loop extracts heat from the air and diffuses it into cooler soil. By constantly removing heat from inside the home, geothermal HVAC systems cool rooms without using much energy.
What Are the Benefits of Using Geothermal HVAC?
There are many benefits to choosing a geothermal HVAC unit:
- Environmentally-friendly heating and cooling: By relying on geothermal energy instead of electricity from coal or fossil fuels, you help protect the environment. The difference in CO2 emissions adds up significantly over time.
- Energy savings: Geothermal systems are much more energy-efficient than other models. This lets you cut your electricity bill by as much as 30–70 %.
- Economic incentives: Many states and utility companies offer additional incentives for homes that use geothermal HVAC units. This may include additional discounts on your electricity bill or cash to use for installation.
- Peace and quiet: Forget about a noisy air conditioner. These HVAC systems operate silently throughout the day, so it’s easier to take a nap.
- Home safety: You don’t have to worry about gas leaks or other dangers from old-fashioned heating. Geothermal heating and cooling is completely safe for your family.
- Versatility: These advanced HVAC units handle both heating and cooling. This means you don’t need to install multiple systems for summer and winter.
Learn More About Geothermal HVAC From the Pros
At Henson Robinson, we have extensive experience installing geothermal heating and cooling systems for homes and commercial buildings. We customize the installation to your specific needs, helping you choose the right unit and layout for your home. That way you can maximize heating and cooling while enjoying the best energy savings. Learn more about geothermal opportunities by visiting the sites references below, then call us for a consultation to see if "going green" is the right solution for you.