A geothermal heat pump is an efficient and effective way to heat and cool your Dayton area home. Understanding your geothermal installation will help make sure it’s properly maintained, and that your family will remain comfortable for years to come.
Although the underground network of piping, known as a loop system, plays a major role, equally important to any geothermal installation is the indoor component – the heat pump. Let’s learn more about this key aspect of a geothermal installation.
- How does it work? A geothermal heat pump removes heat from a water/anti-freeze mixture, which itself has extracted heat energy from the ground or water through which the loop system runs. Inside, a heat pump unit extracts that heat to warm your home. For cooling, the process is reversed, with heat energy from the home rejected back into the earth.
- Why does it work better than a regular air-source heat pump, A/C or furnace? In a conventional heat pump or A/C, part or all of the system is located outside. All of the mechanical parts of a geothermal heat pump are located inside your home. The protected location results in a 20-25 year lifespan, far longer than the average HVAC system. Since a geothermal system exchanges heat from ground or water that doesn’t reach the extreme temperatures that you find in the outside air, this essential heat-exchange process is much more efficient and less expensive to operate. The technology does not use natural gas, and requires only a small amount of electricity.
- Will the operation disturb my family? A conventional heat pump or A/C has an outside unit that can be quite loud. A geothermal heat pump has no such outside unit, and the inside heat pump system is designed to operate quietly.
- How should I maintain my geothermal installation? The best way to take care of your geothermal heat pump is to establish a regular maintenance schedule with a knowledgable contractor. Your heat pump can fall victim to dirt and debris over time, as well as mechanical breakdowns.
Would you like a better understanding of your geothermal heating system as we head into the winter months? Please contact Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. Let us help you keep your family warm and safe this season. We’ve been proudly serving Dayton area residents since 1979.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about geothermal installation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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