Did you know that the underground temperature remains consistent year-round regardless of where you live in the country? Because the earth’s surface will absorb about 50% of the energy produced by the sun into the ground, the temperature underground will remain somewhere between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This constant temperature combined with the radioactive decay of minerals underground produces geothermal energy. Geothermal heating might seem like some advanced complicated concept, but it is a very practical, efficient, and environmentally friendly heat source that has been providing proven results for over 40 years.
What Is Geothermal Heating?
A geothermal heating system is an underground system that harnesses the natural geothermal energy from the stable ground temperature to warm or cool your home. A geothermal heating system typically has three main components. The air handling system transfers the air, a groundwater heat exchanger transfers heat from the ground, and the geothermal loop moves heat between the air handling system and the groundwater heat exchanger.
There are two types of geothermal heating systems; a horizontal loop and a vertical loop. A horizontal closed loop field is composed of pipes running horizontally underground. Coils are laid across a trench that is dug into the ground. Because installation and maintenance are much less expensive than vertical drilling, this layout is the most common when there is adequate land available. Vertical closed loop systems use pipes that run vertically down into the ground, typically 50 to 500 feet deep. In these systems, pipe pairs will be joined together with a U-shaped cross connector at the bottom of the hole. Vertical loops are more effective for houses where less land space is available, like in a city.
Benefits of Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Installing a geothermal system on your property may seem like a complicated and expensive process, but that is not the case, geothermal home systems are available in rural or urban areas and are the most cost-effective and energy-efficient way to heat and cool your home. There are many benefits of geothermal heating and cooling.
Savings
The most significant benefit of geothermal heating and cooling is the utility savings. Because geothermal heating uses the free natural renewable energy produced by the sun and the earth, a geothermal system can save you up to 70% in heating costs, up to 50% in cooling costs, and around 30-50% in hot water costs.
Federal Rebate
Because these systems are so environmentally friendly, the government offers a federal rebate to encourage people to switch to geothermal home systems. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 tax credit offers homeowners a tax credit of up to 30% for installing a geothermal heat pump.
Environmentally Friendly
Geothermal systems are clean, green, and environmentally friendly. They help to reduce your carbon footprint because they operate with very little electricity and do not burn fossil fuels.
Proven and Reliable
While geothermal heat systems are not as common as traditional HVAC units, geothermal technology has provided proven results for over 40 years. Geothermal systems have an average lifespan of approximately 25 years and require much less maintenance than your average HVAC system.
Free Hot Water
Geothermal systems use the free energy and heat that is produced from the earth to operate. The excess heat generated is used to supplement the home’s water heater to provide free hot water and keep utility costs low.
Install Your Geothermal System Today
Planning an optimal geothermal system installation takes an experienced team to get it just right. When you call Ace Hardware Home Services, our expert team will help you through every step of the process and answer any questions you may have. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and get started.
