You’re tired of your traditional HVAC system sapping so much energy, and you’re ready to make a change. You’ve also heard whispers around Perry, Kentucky, about the energy efficiency of geothermal heat pumps. Well, the rumors are true. Thanks to a design that relies on the consistency of the earth, geothermal heat pumps are among the most efficient HVAC systems. Here’s what makes them so special.
How Do Geothermal Heat Pumps Work?
The energy-efficient benefits of geothermal heat pumps are a consequence of their design. Most traditional heating and cooling systems are air-source systems, which means they transfer heat between the refrigerant in the system and the air outside. In the summer, traditional systems release heat into the air and absorb heat in the winter.
Geothermal heat pumps, on the other hand, exchange heat with the stable temperature a few feet underground. These heat pumps use an underground pipe system often called a "loop" that carries a liquid that moves heat between your home and the ground. While many traditional HVAC systems require a separate furnace and air conditioner to provide both heating and cooling, geothermal systems can both heat and cool your home from one unit. Some geothermal heat pumps can also heat your water.
How Are Geothermal Heat Pumps so Efficient?
Traditional HVAC systems work well enough transferring heat between the unit and the air, but since air temperature can fluctuate to such extremes, those systems sometimes have to use more energy to meet your thermostat setting, making them less energy efficient. Since the temperature of the ground is relatively constant, the heat transfer between the earth and a geothermal heat pump is far more efficient than a traditional system.
Geothermal heat pumps also further help your utility costs by consuming less electricity than a traditional unit. These systems also don’t burn fossil fuels, which makes them more environmentally friendly than their cousins.
If you want to cut your utility costs and run a greener household with a geothermal heat pump, call Appalachian Refrigeration, Heating & Cooling at (606) 436-0682.
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