The concept of renewable sources of energy to power a home is becoming increasingly lucrative for more and more homeowners, especially when a typical American family pays an average of $115 a month on electricity. Not only can you save up to 80% a year on hot water, heating, and cooling, but you also lower your household’s environmental footprint by switching from a traditional HVAC to a geothermal system. You may have heard of this system but still have questions about how it works. Ace Hardware Home Services are here to help, whether you’re wondering, “Where can I find a geothermal heating and cooling system installation near me?” or “Is this the best option for my home?” Below we explain everything you need to know.
What Is Geothermal Heating and How Does it Work?
A geothermal system works entirely differently than a traditional heating and cooling unit, like a furnace or heat pump. A furnace burns oil or gas, while heat pumps run on electricity, drawing heat from the outside air and transferring it indoors to generate heat. While both devices are standard in a typical household, they can be costly, and use a significant amount of energy. Neither of these options is great for the environment.
A geothermal heating and cooling system is an energy-efficient system that utilizes the natural stable ground temperature to warm homes in the winter and keep them cool in the summer. Because of how this system works, it doesn’t require fossil fuels or a lot of electricity. A geothermal system has three essential components: an air handling system, the groundwater heat exchanger, and the geothermal loop.
Geothermal Loops
The geothermal loop is a path of pipes that travel deep underground to reach a zone that stays at a consistent temperature. The pipes contain a mixture of water and antifreeze that circulates the liquid and either brings heat to the geothermal system or cools it down. Because every home is different, the geothermal system can be set up in a vertical or horizontal arrangement. Our team of professionals at Ace Hardware Home Services works hard to design a geothermal system that is most favorable to your property.
After installation, the heat pump, generally located in the garage or basement, circulates liquid through the loops. These loops absorb the heat distributed into the ground from the sun (about 50% of the sun’s energy). The liquid mixture in the pipes then circulates back to the geothermal pump, which works to heat the home. During the cooling process, the heat is absorbed from the air inside and then moved away. Unlike a traditional air conditioner that releases heat into the air outside, a geothermal heat pump releases the heat underground or into a water source, depending on the loop arrangement. Geothermal heating and cooling systems are recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a clean, renewable source of energy that is often underutilized.
What are the Benefits of a Geothermal System?
Besides being environmentally friendly, geothermal energy has a lot of advantages for your home. Consider the following benefits of using geothermal as your primary heating and cooling system:
- Lower operating costs
- More availability
- Long equipment lifespan
- Sustainable
- Reliable
- Environmentally friendly
Geothermal System Advantage with Ace Hardware Home Services
If you’ve been searching for geothermal heating and cooling system installation near me, stop your search now and contact Ace Hardware Home Services. We can help you choose the best geothermal system suitable to your lifestyle and your home’s design. We guarantee its installation will be complete in a timely, cost-effective, and professional manner. Contact us now to request a consultation.