A geothermal heat pump uses renewable energy that’s always available. It’s more efficient and more environmentally friendly than a traditional heater or air conditioner. Geothermal systems are more expensive, but they can provide additional comfort and increase the value of your Fairdale, Kentucky, home. Here are some exciting facts you should learn about geothermal systems.
Geothermal Energy Is Different From Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Geothermal heat pumps work a lot like conventional heat pumps, but they exchange heat with a nearby body of water or the ground instead of the air. They’re more efficient because water and ground temperatures fluctuate less than air temperatures. Conditions underground or underwater are relatively constant at depths of several feet.
Geothermal energy is heat that comes from natural geological features like volcanoes, hot springs, or geysers. In some areas, geothermal power plants provide electricity. Fortunately, you don’t have to live near a hot spring to enjoy a geothermal HVAC system.
Many Options Are Available
Horizontal geothermal systems use a network of copper or PVC pipes buried in trenches in the ground. They’re the most cost-effective option for many people, but you’ll need a large yard to place the pipes. Unless you’re constructing a brand-new home, installing the pipes will ruin your landscaping.
If you want to keep your lawn and the plants and trees in your yard intact, have a vertical system installed. The pipes go deeper, so they won’t disturb your landscaping as much, and they require less land. The vertical tubing connects with horizontal pipes called manifolds that lead to the air handler.
Closed-loop geothermal systems circulate refrigerant through pipes in a closed loop. An open-loop system, also called a pond or lake loop, exchanges heat with the water in a pond, lake, or well near your home. Water is the heat exchange fluid instead of refrigerant, and it returns to the lake, pond, or well after it circulates. Specialized filters keep dirt, biological growth, and other contaminants from damaging the heat pump or pipes. If there’s a suitable body of water on your property, an open-loop system will be easier and cheaper to install than other geothermal heat pumps.
You Might Not Need a Water Heater
If you choose a geothermal heat pump that uses water instead of refrigerant, it can heat your water as well as the air in your home for you. If you’re taking water from a nearby lake or well, you could need a water purification system to use it safely for routine tasks like cooking or showering. You’ll still have more closet space without a separate water heater, and you won’t have to maintain it, repair it, or use additional power. You can even use your geothermal system to heat the water in your backyard pool.
Maintenance Is Easy
Geothermal systems can last two or three times as long as a traditional heat pump or air conditioner. You won’t have to spend as much time or money repairing breakdowns or replacing a worn-out system.
Maintaining a geothermal system is a lot like taking care of other types of HVAC systems. You should change the air filter once per month for the best indoor air quality. Also, dust your vents often and have your ductwork cleaned if you notice dust, dirt, or other contaminants in your home’s ducts. For the best airflow, keep furniture and carpets away from your vents and don’t close your air registers. Have your system checked by a professional once per year and get your piping inspected every few years.
Watch for high utility bills, wet spots in your yard, and other problems. You should have any leaks in your insulation or ductwork repaired to avoid drafts or warm areas.
One Choice Mechanical, LLC is a Trane Comfort Specialist with more than a decade of geothermal heating and cooling experience. We also have an A+ rating with the Louisville Better Business Bureau. We can help you with installing, maintaining, or repairing your geothermal HVAC system. For outstanding, friendly service, call us at (502) 242-8204.
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