Winter is coming, as certain fantasy characters are so fond of telling us. That means that it will soon cease to be air conditioning season and heating season will begin. If you’re in the market for a new heating system, you should consider a geothermal system. Let’s take a look at how a geothermal system operates, and the advantages that it provides.
What is a Geothermal System?
A geothermal system is a heat pump, which relies on refrigerant to move heat from one place to another. While a typical heat pump exchanges heat between the home and the air outside, a geothermal system relies on subterranean thermal energy. A wide pipe loop filled with water is buried about 30 feet underground, and is connected to the heat pump inside the home. At that depth, the temperature remains fairly constant at 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit. The geothermal system uses that infinitely renewable source of thermal energy to heat the home.
The Advantages of Geothermal Systems
Geothermal systems are among the most energy efficient systems on the market. This is because they have access to a practically endless amount of thermal energy, which isn’t affected by weather. Geothermal heat pumps don’t burn fuel, and don’t experience drops in efficiency even when the temperature is below zero. Like all heat pumps, geothermal systems can act as both heaters and air conditioners. They do this by reversing the flow of refrigerant in their systems, causing them to siphon thermal energy from the home and vent it underground. If you’re looking to save money on home operating costs, a geothermal heat pump might be the perfect solution for you.
If you’d like to know more about geothermal systems, call Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing. We serve the entire Gaithersburg, MD area.