Homeowners across the nation are looking for ways to reduce their energy costs and their impact on our environment. That’s why more and more are looking for energy-efficient HVAC systems that don’t compromise their comfort. For many, a geothermal heat pump can be an excellent choice.

In this article, the HVAC experts at United Air Temp discuss how geothermal energy can be harnessed for residential HVAC, as well as the benefits these systems provide and ways to determine if one is right for your property. 

Understanding Geothermal Energy 

How geothermal energy works is that it uses the earth’s internal heat in underground reservoirs of hot water or steam to create energy for use in a variety of ways. The most common include geothermal power plants that create large-scale electricity for the grid, as well as residential geothermal systems that can provide year-round energy-efficient home heating and cooling. 

How Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems Work 

As an eco-friendly HVAC solution, geothermal systems–also known as geothermal heat pumps or ground-source heat pumps–provide indoor temperature regulation by leveraging the heat found a few feet below the Earth’s surface. Similar to an air-source heat pump, the system will pull heat from the ground during winter and use a fluid that is a mix of water or antifreeze in loops to transfer heat to the heat exchanger. In the summer, the process is reversed, with the pump removing heat from your property and passing it through the loops and back into the ground.

Geothermal HVAC systems come in two system types: closed-loop and open-loop. A closed-loop system uses the same fluid to flow continuously through the loops without ever coming in contact with the environment, whereas an open-loop system pumps water from a well or other water source directly into the system where the heat exchanger absorbs the heat before sending the water back to the well.

Key Benefits of Geothermal Energy for Homeowners 

Geothermal energy has its pros and cons. Homeowners who install these home comfort systems can experience benefits that include:

• Energy-efficient home heating and cooling
• Reduced energy bills
• Eco-friendliness 
• Reduced carbon footprint 
• Long lifespan with low maintenance 

Is Geothermal Right for Your Home? 

Geothermal heating and cooling may be an excellent choice for your home. We highly recommend these systems in these scenarios:

• Single-family homes on larger lots: Geothermal systems are ideal for standalone homes that have enough land area to accommodate the ground loops.
• New builds: Since it can be expensive to retrofit a home with an existing traditional HVAC, new construction is a great time to choose a ground-source heat pump.
• Larger budgets: Geothermal system costs are higher than traditional HVAC systems, but offer long-term ROI with 50-70% savings on heating and cooling costs.
• Homes in cold climates: Geothermal systems excel in cold climates to provide efficient heating in the winter.
• Homes on clay or silt soils: Geothermal systems need to be in moist ground for proper thermal conductivity. If your home has rocky or sandy soil, it may require a deeper installation and may not perform as efficiently.

Geothermal Services Offered by United Air Temp 

At United Air Temp, we’ve utilized the newest geothermal energy technology to provide homeowners with exceptional heating and cooling services in their homes. This includes installation, repair, and maintenance of ground-source heat pumps. Trust our team to provide you with a professional consultation and personalized system design options. With our outstanding maintenance plans and free estimates, we provide unparalleled customer support to help you improve your comfort and lower your bills.

To learn how you can benefit from geothermal energy in your home, contact United Air Temp today.