Do geothermal heat pumps heat and cool my home?

Geothermal heat pumps can both heat and cool your home. The same loop works for both heating and cooling. To supply heat, the system pulls heat from the Earth and circulates it through your conventional duct system. For cooling, the system pulls heat from your home and moves it back into the earth. A geothermal system can also be used to provide hot water and dehumidify your home.

How efficient is a geothermal heat pump?

The Environmental Protection Agency considers geothermal heat pumps to be one of the most efficient heating and cooling systems available. Since geothermal systems use the constant temperature of the earth to deliver heat and cooling for your home, they can reach 300% to 600% efficiency. You’ll receive consistent temperatures that are much warmer in the winter than conventional heat pumps provide and cooler, dehumidified air in the summer.

How soon will I see the savings with a geothermal heat pump?

Although the purchase and installation cost of a residential geothermal heat pump is higher than that of other heating and cooling systems, its high efficiency will result in much lower utility bills, allowing your initial investment to be recouped in as little as two to five years. Plus, financing and incentives for choosing renewable energy can save you even more money on your investment.

Can I use a geothermal heat pump where I live?

Geothermal heat pumps can be used almost anywhere as ground temperatures are relatively constant throughout the United States. The system takes advantage of the Earth’s constant temperature by circulating water or other liquids through pipes buried in a continuous loop, either horizontally or vertically depending on how much land area is available.

Will the buried loop affect lawn or landscaping?

Once buried, loops do not affect the growth of landscaping. The installation of a horizontal loop will require more landscape restoration than a vertical loop installation.

How long will a geothermal heat pump last?

A geothermal heat pump can last twice as long as conventional heating and cooling systems. The underground piping is usually warranteed for up to 50 years, and the heat pump for 20 or more years. With long life and little maintenance requirements, overall system costs are much lower with geothermal systems.

Geothermal heat pumps can be easily integrated into your existing heating or cooling system. However, the type of system and ground loop greatly depends on the amount of land you have available and your heating and cooling requirements.

The system of a Geothermal Installation

No matter the type of system, homeowners should expect some disruption throughout the installation process. Installing a geothermal heat pump system can take between 1-3 days, depending on the type of ground loop system you choose.

Horizontal systems result in greater disruption to your property than vertical systems, due to the style of ground loop system. While vertical systems drill deep down into the earth, horizontal systems cover more land, drilling only 4 feet deep.

These systems can be installed in 2-3 days, while pond systems can be installed in 1-2 days and require a water source.

It is important you ask your Geothermal Installer about the time frame and installation expectations prior to installing a geothermal heat pump system on your property. Connect with an installer now to learn how easy it is to install a geothermal system and start saving money on your utility bills.

Geothermal heat pumps connect to a ground loop system that transfers heat to and from your home. There are a number of different ground loop systems, all of which are designed differently to meet your needs and the land characteristics.

The question often asked is, “Which loop works the best?” The answer: all of them. Each type of loop, when designed properly, can yield equal effectiveness to the geothermal heat pump system. Depending on the type of land and how much space is available will dictate which loop system is best. For more information on installing a geothermal ground loop system, connect with a contractor today.

Types of Geothermal Ground Loops Systems

Open Loop System – Uses well water as the heat exchange fluid that circulates directly through the heat pump system.

Closed Loop System – Circulates a water and antifreeze solution through the geothermal pipes, carrying heat to a heat exchanger.

Standing Column Well System – Uses a well to circulate water between the ground and the geothermal heat pump to heat and cool your home more efficiently.

Vertical Loop System – Used when there is not enough property for trenching, minimizing the disturbance to the existing landscaping.

Horizonal Loop System – Generally most cost-effective for residential installations, where sufficient land is available for trenches at least 4 feet deep.

Pond or Lake System – For sites with an adequate body of water: at least .5 acre with a minimum depth of 8 feet.

Horizontal Bored System – Commonly utilized in the running of natural gas lines, fiber optic, or utility cables, it is the least invasive and reliable way to install geothermal pipes.

Geothermal heat pumps are a necessary component when installing a geothermal system in your home. As the central heating and cooling system, geothermal heat pumps transfer heat to and from the ground, by way of a ground loop.

Geothermal heat pumps function like your conventional heat pump, using high-pressure refrigerant to capture and move heat in and out of your home. However, the use of a geothermal heat pump supplies your home with high efficiency heating and cooling, cutting utility bills by up to 70% each month.

Types of Geothermal Heat Pump Systems:

All-in-One – The most common type of geothermal heat pump that comes in a packaged unit. This air system typically replaces a fossil fuel furnace or air-handler.

Split – Geothermal heat pumps are separated into two sections: the compressor and the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger in one cabinet, with the blower assembly and air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger in the other.

Hydronic – Water is heated and used in radiant floor heating, hydronic air handlers, hot water for personal use or for heating a pool or spa.

DX Systems – Refrigerant circulates through copper tubing placed in the ground and exchanges heat directly with the soil through the walls of the copper tubing.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems provide the greatest return on your investment; geothermal will drastically reduce your energy bill.

There are two different forms of geothermal; steam and geothermal heat pumps.  For your home, we’re only discussing geothermal heat pumps to heat and cool your space.  Geothermal heat pumps use the earth as a stable source of energy.  For the most part, the temperature beneath the earth’s surface is around 54 degrees.  By tapping into this stable temperature, we are able to inexpensively raise and lower your homes temperature to keep you comfortable all year long.  You’ll no longer feel guilty about forgetting to turn the heat back when you leave for work!

Benefits of geothermal energy

A geothermal heating and cooling system is an affordable and sustainable solution that offers many benefits. Not only will it reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and global warming risks, but it has a significant impact financially, lowering the amount of money you will spend to heat and cool your home.

Geothermal heat pumps are used to cool your home in the summer by rejecting heat into the Earth and heat your home in the winter by taking heat from the Earth and transferring it into your home. This process is similar to that of a refrigerator in your kitchen; keeping your food cold by removing the heat from inside it. A refrigerant is required to transfer the heat out of the refrigerator and into your home’s space. Geothermal heat pumps work similarly, in that they transfer heat in and out of your home by refrigerant. The difference is the heat is transferred to and from the Earth below.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal heat pumps are among the most efficient and comfortable heating and cooling technologies available today. If you are looking for a cost-effective alternative to heating and cooling your home this year, consider installing a geothermal heat pump system.  Renewable Home Energy’s qualified installers can provide a free in-home assesment and geothermal system cost absolutely free.  There is never any hassle or pressure to buy.