Blogs

What Is a Geothermal Heating System?

Did you know regardless of where you live, the temperature underground stays a relatively constant number year-round, somewhere between 50 and 60 degrees F? That’s because the earth’s surface absorbs about 50% of the sun’s energy into the ground. Combining this with the radioactive decay of minerals underground produces geothermal energy. The notion of geothermal energy may seem foreign to some people or like something that only exists in a Nordic landscape where the temperature averages around freezing, but it’s actually a practicable, efficient, and low-emissions heat source that’s available all over the world. Below our experts share what geothermal heating is, how it works, and why you should consider switching to this heat source for your home.

What Is Geothermal Heating?

A geothermal heating system is an energy-efficient system that directly uses geothermal energy for heating applications. Geothermal heating works by harnessing the natural stable ground temperature to warm homes in the winter and keep them cool in the summer. These types of heating systems generally have three main components: the air handling system that transfers the air, the groundwater heat exchanger that transfers heat from the ground or moves heat back into the earth, and the geothermal loop that moves heat between the air handling system and the groundwater heat exchanger.

How Does a Geothermal Heating System Work?

To tap into this stable ground temperature, a geothermal system uses a loop of pipes buried in the ground. Geothermal heating systems can be set up in various formats, the most common being horizontal or vertical. After the unit is installed, the heat pump, typically located in the basement or garage, circulates a solution of water and environmentally safe antifreeze through the pipes, or loops, underground. The underground pipes then absorb the temperature that is distributed into the ground from the sun. The liquid then circulates back up to the heat pump, located inside the home, where it removes the heat from the liquid and distributes warm air throughout the space. In the summer, the heat from inside the home is transferred back to the earth.

What Are the Benefits of Geothermal Heating?

Although the upfront installation costs are often higher than a traditional heating system, the benefits of a geothermal heating system are vast. Because a geothermal heating system doesn’t burn fossil fuels and requires very little electricity to operate, it’s extremely environmentally friendly and efficient. Check out a few other advantages of a geothermal system:

  • Lower operating costs than other systems
  • Uses clean, renewable energy
  • Can be installed in new construction and retrofit conditions
  • Low maintenance
  • Reliable

Contact Ace Hardware Home Services to Install a Geothermal Heating System

Have you been searching for a qualified HVAC contractor near me who specializes in geothermal heating and cooling systems? Contact the expert certified technicians at Ace Hardware Home Services for a quote on a quality customized installation of a new Bryant geothermal heat pump system today at 765-966-1300. Our team guarantees we will do it right the first time.