The Environmental Protection Agency considers geothermal heating and cooling as the most environmentally responsible choice for indoor temperature control.
These sophisticated systems utilize the free and renewable energy supplied by the sun.
No matter the change of seasons or severity of the weather, the earth remains at a fairly constant temperature all year round. A geothermal heat pump includes an underground loop system to take advantage of this heat. During the winter months, the heat pump absorbs heat from the ground and conveys it into the house by way of a liquid or refrigerant. In the summer season, the process is literally reversed. The heat pump operates much like a conventional air conditioner and pulls heat out of the house to create a cooling effect. It delivers this heat into the ground. By using existing heat, a geothermal heat pump creates four times as much energy as it requires to run the equipment. These systems achieve upwards of four hundred percent efficiency ratings and can cut the cost of heating and cooling by fifty percent. Plus, with the addition of a simple switch, the geothermal unit can provide a free source of domestic hot water. Along with the savings on the budget and reduced impact on the environment, there is the advantage of effective dehumidification and air filtration. The system won’t cause concerns with insufficient humidity during the winter, and the year round operation is especially safe and clean. A geothermal heat pump doesn’t burn fossil fuels and therefore avoids the production of fumes, carbon monoxide and hot surfaces. While the initial cost is considerable, the heat pump quickly pays for itself.
Comments