For anyone wondering, “How does geothermal heating work?”, the two-word answer is very well. Geothermal heating and cooling systems are the most energy-efficient and dependable ways to heat and cool homes in virtually any climate. These systems use the thermal properties underground to harvest the heat in the winter and deposit it in the summer.
A geothermal heat pump (GHP) taps into the thermal properties below ground to extract the heat in the winter. Unlike gas or oil heating systems, heat pumps use a liquid to absorb heat from the air, the ground, or water.
With the help of the compressor and the fan, the heat pump releases the stored heat that it absorbed underground into your home. The process reverses in the summer, and the heat pump absorbs the indoor heat and releases it underground. This goes a long way toward explaining the answer to: How does geothermal heating work.
Temperature stability is central to the question of how does geothermal heating work. It’s also what makes a GHP the most efficient way to condition your home. Besides reduced energy costs, a GHP benefits you in the following ways:
- It’s the most durable HVAC system. A GHP uses an underground loop field for the pipes that carry the liquid. The loop field can run horizontally when the lot is large enough or vertically for a home sitting on a small lot.Since there are few above-ground parts exposed to the elements, its lifetime often exceeds 50 years. The indoor components may last 20 to 25 years or more with proper maintenance. A GHP doesn’t use an outdoor condenser, which eliminates noise.
- It is the safest way to heat homes. A GHP doesn’t use any combustible fuel, so there’s little risk of fire and no risk of carbon monoxide exposure from heating.
- It’s consistent with heat production. The system’s performance won’t be challenged by the outdoor temperature. Below ground, temperatures are stable year-round.
- Covered by a federal tax credit. You can get a 26% tax credit for the full cost of installing a GHP before the end of 2022.
If you’d like more information about the question of how does geothermal heating work, contact the pros at Ace Hardware Home Services. We provide trusted HVAC and geothermal services for Dayton-area homeowners.
