What to Know About Geothermal Heating
If you’re like most homeowners, you’re always looking for more cost-effective and efficient ways to heat your home. Whether you’re familiar with geothermal heating or this is the first time you’ve heard the term, Advantage Air HVAC has everything you need to know about geothermal heating systems.
How Does Geothermal Heating Work?
No matter where you live, the underground temperature stays at 55º Fahrenheit all year. This fact means that even if four feet of snow are on the ground, you can utilize the Earth’s consistent temperature. The Earth absorbs about 50% of the sun’s incoming energy. This energy, plus the heat from the core of the Earth, works to keep the Earth’s crust at a consistent temperature.
Benefits of Geothermal Heating
So, it sounds like a cool concept, but what are the actual benefits of this type of heating? There are several!
- Geothermal heating is an immaculate source of energy. It requires no fossil fuels, meaning a significant reduction in toxic emissions.
- It’s a “homegrown” source of energy. A reliable, renewable domestic source of energy is always preferable to depending on rocky international markets.
- Geothermal heating works regardless of the weather conditions above ground, so it will never stop working due to a storm or other natural disaster.
- When your system generates excess heat, it can redirect it as a supplemental energy source for your hot water system.
- Geothermal heating is a wise long-term investment. The heat pump unit has a minimum lifespan of 20 years, and the underground loop system will last between 25-50 years.
A heat pump uses electricity to move heat from one place to another. A refrigerator and air conditioner are two examples everyone is familiar with. Geothermal heating systems come in several formats with different installation and maintenance requirements:
- Closed-Loop System: A network of continuous pipes filled with a liquid solution that transfers energy to the geothermal heat pump. These systems can be vertical or horizontal. Vertical configurations require less space but need a well driller for installment. A horizontal layout is less costly upfront because it uses a backhoe rather than a well driller.
- Open-Loop System: Instead of a closed pipe system containing heat-transferring liquid, an open-loop design transfers energy by pumping groundwater to the heat pump.
- Pond/Lake Hybrid System: This open-loop system relies on water from a large lake or pond instead of groundwater.
Geothermal Heating Near Lexington, Kentucky
Would you like to learn more about the benefits of geothermal heating for your home? Call us at (859) 559-6409 to chat with one of our geothermal energy experts. Our team has over 32 years of experience and has served the area since 2007. We offer commercial and residential services, including installation and routine maintenance.
Advantage Air HVAC is near Lexington, Kentucky, and proudly serves Versailles, Winchester, Georgetown, Paris, Wilmore, Nicholasville, and the surrounding area. Contact us today to schedule a geothermal heating assessment.
