If you’re looking for an energy-efficient means of year-round heating and cooling, geothermal heat pumps offer the solution. Unlike air-source heat pumps, which rely on the fluctuating temperature of outside air as their source of heat energy, geothermal systems extract their heat directly from the ground, taking advantage of the constant temperatures several feet underground. Thus, they are effective even on the coldest of winter nights.
In fact, when it comes to reducing energy consumption, geothermal systems can be as much as 44 percent more efficient than air-source units and up to 72 percent more efficient than standard electric resistance heating and air conditioning systems. What’s more, these long-lasting systems are known to provide 20-plus years of service while their underground piping can last as long as 50 years.
To take advantage of these energy savings, you must first consider potential looping options:
- Horizontal
- Vertical
- Pond/lake
- Open-loop
In order to determine which of these options is best for you, your home must be evaluated in terms of:
- Soil and rock composition and amount.
- Availability, depth, volume and quality of surface or ground water.
- Land conditions including landscaping and the location of underground utilities
If sufficient land is available, a horizontal system is generally considered the most cost-effective residential installation. In tighter spaces or spaces where soil conditions won’t allow for proper trenching, a vertical system may be preferable. However, if you have an adequate body of clean water on-site, you may consider the cost-effective pond/lake system, which runs pipes directly beneath the water, or the open-loop system, which actually uses the water as its chosen fluid for heat exchange.
While geothermal systems cost more initially, most users find the long-term savings they provide to be well worth the additional costs. In fact, many homeowners recoup their initial investment within the first 10 years. Of course, your energy savings will depend heavily on factors unique to your home and system, including:
- Climate
- Soil conditions
- Features
- Incentives at the federal, state and local levels
If you’re interested in exploring your geothermal options, contact Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. today for expert consultation.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about geothermal options and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Ace Hardware Home Services services the Ohio’s Miami Valley. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
