Geothermal

According to the EPA, geothermal systems are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost effective space conditioning systems available today.  Extremely high levels of efficiency are possible because a geothermal heat pump only uses electricity to move heat, not produce it.  Geothermal systems transfer heat from your home to the earth in the cooling mode, or from the earth to your home in the heating mode.  Water is used as the heat transfer medium through a closed loop piping system buried in the ground.  By using this stable thermal source, geothermal heat pumps provide energy efficienct comfort year-round. 

Over the years, geothermal systems have been the leader in low operating costs.  Recently, however, natural gas prices have begun increasing at a much higher rate than electricity.  The U.S. Department of Energy predicts that electricity prices will remain stable over the next twenty years, allowing some increase for inflation. 

 Geothermal heat pumps qualify for a tax credit worth 30% of the installed cost.  Click here to learn more about this tax credit!

Below are a few frequently asked questions aboout geothermal systems.  For any other questions or comments, please call us at (502) 966-5813 and we would be happy to talk with you.

 

What is a geothermal heat pump?

A geothermal or "ground source" heat pump is an electrically-powered device that used the natural heat storage ability of the earth and/or the earth's groundwater to heat and cool your home.

 

How does it work?

Like any type of heat pump, it simply moves heat energy from one place to another.   The geothermal heat pump removes heat energy stored in the earth and/or earth's groundwater and transfers it to the home. 

 

How is heat transferred between the earth and the home?

The earth has the ability to absorb and store heat energy.  To use that stored energy, heat is extracted from the earth through a liquid medium and is pumped to the heat pump heat exchanger.  There, the heat is used to heat your home.  In summer, the process is revered and indoor heat is extracted from your home and transferred to the earth through the liquid. 

 

You mentioned heating and cooling.  Does it do both?

One of the things that makes a heat pump so versatile is its ability to be a heating and cooling system in one.  You can change from one mode to another with a simple flick of a switch on your indoor thermostat. 

 

Is this new technology?

No, in fact the idea to bury pipe in the ground to gather heat energy began in the 1940s.  But it's only been in the last twenty-five years that new heat pump designs have been combined to make geothermal heat pumps the most efficient heating and cooling systems available.

 

Where is the loop located?

That depends on land availability and terrain.  Closed-loops are trenched horizontally in yards adjacent to the home if the yard is large enough.  Or, for smaller yards, the loops can be installed vertically using a drill rig, much like a water well installation.

 

How deep and long will the trenches be?

Trenches are normally four to six feet deep.  One of the advantages of a horizontal loop system is being able to lay the trenches according to the shape of the land.  As a rule of thumb, 125 to 300 feet of trench are required per ton of heat pump capacity.

 

How many pipes are in a trench?

Anywhere from 1 to 6 pipes per trench may be used depending upon the optimal design for the yard.  More pipe per trench shortens the total amount of trench required.

 

What about vertical loops?

Holes are bored to about 150 to 300 feet per ton of heat pump capacity.  U-shaped loops of pipe are inserted in the holes.  The holes are then filled with a grout sealing solution.

 

How long will the loop pipe last?

Properly installed, these pipes will last over 50 years.  They are inert to chemicals normally found in soul and have good heat conducting properties. 

 

How efficient is a geothermal heat pump?

Geothermal heat pumps are 3.5 to 5 times as efficient as the most efficient gas furnace.  Instead of burning a combustible fuel to make heat, they simply move heat that already exists.  By doing so, they provide 3.5 to 5 units of energy for every unit used to power the heat pump system. 

 

What does a system like this cost?

A system for the typical home will cost more than if you bought a seperate forced-air furnace and central air conditioning system.  However, this isn't necessarily comparing "apples to apples."  To get an accurate comparison of costs, you need to consider the following:

• Payback, or how long it takes to recover the difference in costs between the two systems using energy savings.  We would be happy to run a cost comparison and payback analysis report for your specific home.
• Energy efficiency of the two systems.  To get an accurate picture, make sure efficiency claims are substantiated.  Your lifestyle and how well your home is insulated affect how economical any system will be. 
• Total operating savings from heating and cooling must be combined to get an accurate picture of total energy savings. 
• Energy costs and availability, both present and future.
• System lifespan.

 

For more information call us today!  We would be happy to sit down with you and talk about what all of this means to you.  Replacing your heating and air conditioning system is a big decision.  You should have all of the facts in front of you when you decide to make an investment in your comfort.  We can help you with all of the questions you may have.