Geothermal Heating: Explained

Looking to save money on your heating and cooling bills, plus help reduce your carbon footprint? Geothermal systems can accomplish both, as well as make your living spaces more comfortable. These systems enhance your comfort year-round, as well as being more quiet, reliable and environmentally friendly than typical gas furnaces and air source heat pumps.

A quick disclaimer is we do not install Geothermal systems, but it can be very successful in addition to our air sealing and insulation services.

The United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory considers geothermal energy to be the world’s greenest heating and cooling option. Most traditional heating and cooling systems require ample fuel or electricity, leaving you to pay much more than you should be, plus they are frivolous in consuming natural resources and contribute to an unhealthy environment for you and the earth. Not only is geothermal energy great for the environment, but it can deliver an astounding five units of energy for every one unit of electrical energy used. It can help you save 40 to 70 percent on home-heating, mostly because it does not use fuel and can be three or four times more efficient than the highest efficiency air source units.

Now let’s discuss what makes geothermal systems better than all else. Heat is absorbed from the ground during the winter and heat is dispersed into the ground during the summer; it’s that simple. This occurs because as the temperature above ground changes dramatically throughout the year, the temperature of the ground remains relatively consistent due to its ability to retain the suns energy efficiently.

The geothermal system absorbs this energy within the ground which can be used to regulate the temperature within your home during the cold and hot months. This can be harnessed to either send conditioned or heated air through ducts in your homes walls and ceilings or used for a radiant floor system or domestic water heating.

Now before you pick up your phone to call your local contractor, it is important to consider what type of commitment needs to be made. For example, for the water from your home to travel underground long enough for the ground temperature to effect it, it needs ample space for pipe systems. Typical contractors will either recommend you get a home energy audit to determine how big of a system you need, or sometimes they can perform the audit themselves. This will decide the land area needed for underground pipes. If the area around your home is ample, a backhoe can be used for horizontal loops. The pipes need to be installed 10 feet or deeper underneath your home in order to avoid freezing ground in the winter. If area is limited, a drilling rig is used for deeper, vertical loops. In case you don’t have enough land for horizontal loops and need to drill deeper, it can be quite expensive to install. This installation can cost, on average, roughly $20,000 to $25,000 but costs can vary greatly case to case.

We would conclude geothermal energy is more successful after a thorough inspection of your home. Dr Energy Saver of Connecticut also recommends doing what you can to make your overall home more efficient in retaining your conditioned air with air sealing and ample insulation. Our Dr. Energy Saver of Connecticut can offer such services including air sealing and installing our own, highly rated products.

Image Sources:

https://mumby.com/geothermal-savings/

https://www.tmillerhvac.com/geothermal-heating-cooling-systems