Did you know that regardless of the time of year it is, the temperature underground remains consistently somewhere between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit all year long? About 50% of the sun’s energy is absorbed by the earth’s surface into the ground. Because of this, and the radioactive decay of underground minerals, geothermal energy is produced underground. Geothermal heating and cooling systems are able to take advantage of this energy.
Geothermal energy might seem like a high-tech foreign concept to some people. You may think that it only exists in wealthy areas or places where the temperature averages around freezing. But geothermal heating is actually more common than you think. This heating system is extremely efficient, eco-friendly, and viable all over the world, even in Wayne County, PA. If you are looking to make a change to your heating and cooling, consider a geothermal system.
What Is Geothermal Heating?
Geothermal heating is an energy-efficient system that works by harnessing the natural geothermal energy produced by the stable temperatures below the earth’s surface to warm homes in the winter and cool them down in the summer. Geothermal heating systems typically have three main components to them. An air-handling system transfers the air, the groundwater heat exchanger pulls heat from the ground or moves it back into the earth, and the geothermal loop system moves heat between the air-handling system and the groundwater heat exchanger.
How Does Geothermal Heating Work?
A geothermal heating system taps into the consistent temperature of the ground by using a loop of pipes buried beneath the earth’s surface. There are two common setups for looping systems used: horizontal and vertical. The pipes are installed underground and a heat pump is typically located in the home’s basement or garage. The heat pump circulates a solution mix of water and environmentally safe antifreeze through the loops underground. The pipes then absorb the heat that is distributed into the ground from the sun. When the liquid is circulated back up into the heat pump, it removes the heat from the liquid solution and distributes it as warm air throughout the home. In the summer, the system works in reverse and the heat from inside the home is transferred back into the earth through the pipes.
Benefits of Geothermal Heating
Sure, the upfront installation costs might be a little higher than installing a traditional heating system, but the benefits of geothermal heating make it worth it. Because a geothermal heating system doesn’t burn fossil fuels, it requires very little electricity to operate. These systems are extremely efficient and environmentally friendly. In addition, the benefits also include:
- Lower operating costs than other systems
- Uses clean and renewable energy
- Able to heat and cool your home
- Can be installed in new construction and retrofit conditions
- Low maintenance
- Extremely reliable
- 30% Federal Tax Credit
Ace Hardware Home Services Geothermal Heating Services
Upgrade your home’s heating and cooling system by installing a geothermal heating system today. Call an expert geothermal certified technician at Ace Hardware Home Services for a quote and more information about how we can install a geothermal system at your Wayne County home.
