Q: What is a geothermal heat pump?
A: A geothermal or “ground-source” heat pump is an
electrically-powered device that uses the natural
heat storage ability of the earth and/or the
earth’s groundwater to heat and cool your home
or business.
Q: How does it work?
A: Like any type of heat pump, it simply moves
heat energy from one place to another. Your
refrigerator works using the same scientific
principle. (See “How is a geothermal heat pump
like a refrigerator?” lower down.) By using
refrigeration, the geothermal heat pump removes
heat energy stored in the earth and/or the earth’s
groundwater and transfers it to the home.
Q: How is heat transferred between the earth and
the home?
A: 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 (water or
an anti-freeze solution) and is pumped to the heat
pump heat exchanger. There, the heat is used to
heat your home. In summer the process is reversed
and indoor heat is extracted from your home and
transferred to the earth through the liquid.
Q: You mentioned heating and cooling. Does it do both?
A: 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. Plus, a geothermal heat pump
can assist in heating hot water year-round.
Q: Do I need separate ground loops for heating
and cooling?
A: No. The same loop works for both. All that happens
when changing from heating to cooling, or vice versa,
is that the flow of heat is reversed inside the unit.
Q: What types of loops are available?
A: There are two main types: open and closed.
Q: Does the underground pipe system really work?
A: The buried pipe, or “ground loop”, is the biggest
technical advancement in heat pump technology to
date. 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 and improved pipe materials have been
combined to make geothermal heat pumps the
most efficient heating and cooling systems available.
My Utility Bill:
The Environment:
Did you know that installing a geothermal system is equivalent to planting 750 trees, taking two cars off the road or saving an acre of trees.
Lower Utility Bills
Homeowners with ClimateMaster Geothermal units typically realize energy savings of 25 to 50% over conventional gas, oil, or heat pump systems. In fact, a typical 2000-sq.-ft. home can be heated and cooled for as little as $1 a day. In addition, ClimateMaster systems can supplement the home's conventional water heater, saving up to 30% of hot water costs every year.
Geothermal systems use small amounts of electricity to transfer heat to and from the ground to your home. On average, it can produce four units of energy for every unit of electricity used to power the system. Even the best conventional systems deliver less than one unit of energy for each unit it consumes. Homeowners typically experience an annual savings of 30% to 70% when compared to ordinary systems. Use the Savings Calculator to see how much a geothermal heating and cooling system can save you.
Environmentally Friendly
Geothermal is recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as the most environmentally-safe, cost effective heating and cooling system on the market. Installing a geothermal system is equivalent to planting 750 trees or taking 2 cars off the road.
Positive Cash Flow
Geothermal systems have a higher installation cost when compared to conventional systems because of the buried loop system. Some homeowners view the system as being too expensive and fail to see the whole picture. Geothermal will produce significantly cheaper utility bills and annual maintenance costs. The initial cost of a geothermal system can be tied into your monthly mortgage payment or other form of low interest financing option. The savings on your utilities easily cover the increase in your loan payment giving you the extra cash flow. A system will usually pay for itself within a three to five year span.
Free Hot Water Generation
As a bonus, geothermal systems can produce some or all of your hot water at much higher efficiencies than ordinary methods. A simple connection is made so the geothermal system can deliver hot water to be stored in your hot water heater. In fact, the heat removed from your home during the cooling cycle is deposited directly to the water heater instead of the ground. This provides you with virtually free hot water.
System Life Span
Ordinary systems require expensive regular maintenance for each unit - the furnace, the air conditioner, and the water heater. When properly installed, a geothermal system requires little or no maintenance beyond periodic checks and filter changes. Equipment life is prolonged since geothermal are located indoors and out of the varying climate and weather. Geothermal systems typically last more than 20 years if properly maintained.
Clean & Safe
Geothermal units do not use fossil fuels such as natural gas and propane. Threats caused by combustion are eliminated. No worries about flames, fumes, odors, or carbon monoxide.
Improved Comfort: Geothermal systems heat and cool homes evenly, eliminating the hot and cold blasts of air found with conventional systems. Geothermal also dehumidifies the air during hot summer months.
Quiet
Geothermal systems use the same principles that operate a refrigerator or freezer, and the units are just as quiet. There is no unsightly outdoor unit to disturb you or your neighbors.
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