Are you looking for the most energy-efficient way to heat and cool your Bluffton, SC, home? A geothermal HVAC system could be the answer. It’s almost 400 percent more efficient than a traditional HVAC system. It harnesses geothermal energy from the Earth, which is a free and renewable energy source. This article takes a closer look at geothermal HVAC systems.
What’s Geothermal Energy?
Just a few feet below the surface of your yard, there lies a source of energy produced from the Earth’s core. It keeps the ground below at a temperature between 50 to 60 degrees no matter what the weather is above the ground. It could be the dead of winter or the middle of a hot, blazing summer.
How Does a Geothermal HVAC System Work?
If you have a traditional furnace and central air conditioner, the way that a geothermal system works may seem a little strange at first. To start, there are three main components to geothermal HVAC systems:
- Heat sink and tubing loop: A heat sink is used to absorb heat energy. It sits 10 to 20 feet below the ground’s surface or a pond. It connects to a loop of tubing that contains antifreeze, water or a mixture of both liquids. The liquid circulates through the tubing back and forth to the heat pump. The liquid then absorbs heat energy.
- Heat pump: As the liquid circulates from the tubing loop, the heat pump transfers the heat energy from the liquid inside. When the unit switches to its cooling mode, the liquid absorbs the heat from the air inside your home, where it’s then transported outdoors and dissipates. The process reverses when the system is in heating mode, and the heat energy from the ground will be transported indoors.
- Heat distributor: Like a blower motor in a traditional HVAC system, this component distributes cooled or warmed air throughout your home.
Should You Purchase a Geothermal HVAC System?
The installation and equipment for a geothermal system is more expensive than a traditional system, but it doesn’t require as much HVAC maintenance. Once installed, it only uses about the same amount of electricity as a light bulb to run. You don’t need to spend money on gas or oil to heat your home. You also will spend less on electricity to cool it.
If you want to save money and reduce your home’s carbon footprint, we can help. Contact Howell-Chase Heating & Air Conditioning to learn more about geothermal energy and whether it’s the best choice for your home. We look forward to helping.
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