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Geothermal heating, ventilation, and cooling systems are getting more and more popular with passing time.
However, a lot of people still have no idea what is a geothermal HVAC? How does it work? Why is it needed? What are its pros and cons? Is geothermal hvac worth it?
If you also have these questions in mind then you are at the right place. Don’t go anywhere and let’s start exploring everything about a geothermal HVAC!
What is a geothermal heat pump
A geothermal heat pump is one of the most important parts of a geothermal HVAC system.
The geothermal heat pump is also called a ground source heat pump. It is an extremely effective and environment-friendly technology that is now being increasingly used for residential and commercial purposes.
A geothermal heat pump can effectively do heating in winters & cooling in summers. It can also be used for heating the water and then you can use that hot water for any purpose.
The temperature of the earth beneath the surface always remains constant throughout the year.
In winter, it is warmer than the air above the surface. Whereas in summer, it is cooler than the temperature above the surface.
Geothermal heat pumps take advantage of this natural phenomenon and use the ground for heat exchange and providing you with effective heating & cooling.
How do geothermal heating and cooling work
Geothermal heating and cooling work by following the second law of thermodynamics which says that:
“Heat always travels from hotter locations to cooler locations”
We will make it easier for you to understand how geothermal heating and cooling works.
Working of geothermal heating
Geothermal HVAC has a whole network of pipes that are fitted inside the ground (either vertically or horizontally).
There is a fluid flowing in those pipes that does the main job of heating.
When it’s winter and you want to heat, the geothermal heat pump sends that fluid into the ground. The temperature of the fluid is low at the time of going down because it’s winter&the temperature above the surface is low.
We told you that in winter, the temperature of the earth below the surface is warmer than the temperature above the surface.
Now when that cold fluid will go beneath the earth’s surface, the heat from underground rocks & water will move into that cold fluid due to the 2nd law of thermodynamics (which says that heat always travels from hotter locations to colder locations).
This way that cold fluid will now become extremely hot.
The geothermal system will bring the cold fluid back up into the building. A heat extractor will extract all the heat from the hot fluid. Then that heat will be distributed into your house through the air ducts.
The fluid will become cold again & it will be sent down again to bring more heat. This way a complete cycle will be formed and your house will be heated by a geothermal HVAC system.
Can geothermal be used for cooling
Yes, geothermal can be used for cooling.
A lot of people think that geothermal systems can only perform heating but that’s wrong.
A geothermal system can also perform cooling with similar effectiveness.
We will help you understand how geothermal HVAC helps with cooling in summer.
The geothermal system extracts heat from the air in your house and then transfers it into the fluid present in the pipes of the geothermal system. The fluid will become very hot.
Now the geothermal system will send the hot fluid into the ground. The heat will dissipate into the ground as it moves from hotter to colder regions.
The fluid will become cold again and it will be sent back up again. It will absorb more heat and then go down to dissipate that absorbed heat into the ground. Hence, a complete cycle of cooling will form.
Since the heat is getting extracted from the air, therefore, the temperature of your house drops and you get a cooling effect.
Is geothermal better for heating or cooling
Geothermal is good for both, heating and cooling.
Some people think that a geothermal HVAC system is only good at heating.
But the proven reality is that geothermal systems can effectively do both of them.
Whether you need heating or cooling, a geothermal system will provide you with both.
Can geothermal be installed anywhere
Yes, a geothermal HVAC system can be installed anywhere.
A geothermal HVAC system is one of the most efficient, cost-effective, and environment-friendly solutions for air conditioning.
It has a longer life & helps you reduce the energy bills.
Where are geothermal energy plants located
Geothermal energy plants are located at different locations in each country.
In the United States, most of the geothermal energy plants are located in the western states and Hawaii.
Geothermal heating and cooling pros and cons
Do you want to know about the pros & cons of a geothermal HVAC system? Well, we got them all covered for you:
Pros of geothermal HVAC
Here are the benefits of a geothermal HVAC system:
Environment friendly
Climate changes are having a drastic impact on our planet. The excessive use of fossil fuels causes a lot of pollution.
Geothermal plants are environmentally friendly and reduce the pollution in the atmosphere.
They do not use burn any fossil fuels or use any nonrenewable energy sources and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
According to a report, installing one geothermal HVAC system has such a beneficial impact on the environment that it is equivalent to planting 750 trees and removing 2 cars from the road.
Cost-effective
Geothermal HVAC systems can reduce your energy bills from 30% to 70%.
You will see its benefits in the form of fewer energy bills. It will save you a lot of money.
Effective performance in all climates
Geothermal HVAC systems give an effective performance in all climates. Why?
Because geothermal systems use the ground for heat exchange. The temperature below the surface of the earth remains constant throughout the year. Thus, it helps the geothermal systems to perform without any difficulty.
Cons of geothermal HVAC
Here are the drawbacks of a geothermal HVAC system:
High installation cost
The upfront installation cost of a geothermal HVAC system can be very high. It ranges somewhere around $15,000 to $20,000.
Alteration of landscape
Geothermal HVAC systems also involve a potential risk of landscape alteration.
Open-loop system & water
The open-loop systems of geothermal HVAC also possess a risk of contamination of underground water.
Geothermal HVAC system cost
Are you wondering how much it costs to get a geothermal HVAC system installed?
Well, the cost of a geothermal HVAC system ranges somewhere between $12,000 to $30,000 on average.
It also depends upon the size of your building. If you are doing it for a commercial place like a school, hospital, or church then it is probably going to cost more.
Similarly, if your house is too big then it can cost you around $30,000 to $40,000.
Is geothermal heating and cooling worth the cost?
Yes, geothermal heating & cooling system is worth the cost.
The reason is that it is very economical and helps you save a lot of money on energy bills.
The installation cost may feel a bit more to you but you will get a return on your investment within 7 or 8 years on average and then the system will start generating profit in the form of big savings on energy bills.
You can save a lot of money with geothermal HVAC systems and it is completely worth it!
Should I install geothermal heating?
Yes, you should install geothermal heating.
It is environment friendly, cost-effective, and provides excellent heating.
Do you need ductwork for geothermal heating
Yes, you need ductwork for geothermal heating.
Most geothermal heating systems require ductworks.
However, some manufacturers also offer ductless options.
Does geothermal increase home value
Yes, a geothermal system does increase the home value.
The reason is that it will help the homeowner save a lot of money on energy bills and also keep the environment clean. For example, if someone wants to stay in a geothermal house for 20 years, then they can have more than $45,000 of savings in total.
The buyers love savings and that’s why they will pay more for your house.
Who makes the best geothermal system
Different top companies are known for making the best geothermal systems such as:
- Dandelion energy
- Enertech
- Water Furnace
- Climate Master
- Energy Star
