Geothermal Heat Pumps: Six Advantages Of Using This Exciting Technology

What in the world is geothermal, really? Find out here (and learn how it can help your family).
Hands holding dirt from the ground

Geothermal heat pumps are unfamiliar to many people, but they are one of the best technologies available when it comes to heating and cooling. Below is more information about these systems as well as how the use of geothermal heat pumps can benefit you, the homeowner.

An introduction to geothermal heat pumps

Geothermal heat pumps utilize natural heating and cooling cycles within the soil to provide climate control within homes. The system consists of a network of flexible pipes installed beneath the surface of the earth. A pump circulates refrigerant through the pipes.

As the refrigerant moves through the buried pipes, it either releases or obtains heat from the soil. The movement of heat is either to or from the earth, depending on whether or not the home is to be heated or cooled.

Advantages of geothermal heat pumps

Geothermal heat pumps are a groundbreaking technology in residential air conditioning and heating. Below are six reasons you should consider installing a geothermal heat pump for your next air conditioning and heating system.

Capabilities for heating and cooling

Throughout most of the continental United States, soil temperatures average between 45 to 75 degrees six feet beneath the surface of the earth. Minimum soil temperatures are reached approximately six months after their low point on the earth's surface while maximum temperatures are reached six months after their high point on the earth's surface.

This means that during the summer months, the relatively cool soil temperatures are available for cooling the home; during the winter, the warmer soil temperatures can be used for heating purposes. Therefore, geothermal heat pumps are perfectly flexible and able to provide both heating and cooling as needed by the homeowner.

Low operating expenses

Another advantage of using a geothermal heat pump is its relatively low operating expenses. Geothermal heat pumps are capable of cutting nearly three-fourths of the costs associated with conventional electrical heating.

In fact, geothermal heat pumps can operate at efficiencies exceeding 100 percent. That means they can produce more heat energy than the household consumes electricity. No conventional air conditioning and heating system can work at this level of efficiency.

Environmental friendliness

One of the chief advantages of geothermal heat pumps is that they are environmentally friendly systems. Their ability to utilize the earth's natural warmth during winter means they don't need combustion to produce heat. Therefore, there is no production of noxious gases or use of scarce fossil fuels.

Long lifespan

Geothermal heat pumps possess another big advantage over conventional heating and cooling systems: geothermal systems have a longer lifespan. Since geothermal equipment doesn't depend upon high-energy components and has fewer moving parts, it lasts a lot longer.

For most geothermal heat pumps, the lifespan of the buried ground loops is 50 years or longer. Internal components possess lifespans comparable to those of conventional heating and cooling components.

Quiet operation

Another advantage realized by using geothermal heat pumps is their quiet operating characteristics. Geothermal heat pumps don't require noisy compressors, and there are no loud outdoor units that can disturb homeowners and neighbors.

Instead, most geothermal heat pumps produce only the sounds of air movement and other relatively low-level noises.

Unexposed equipment

Geothermal heat pumps differ from conventional heating and cooling equipment in that they don't possess visible outdoor components. A conventional heating and air system uses an outdoor compressor and condenser combination, and this exposed equipment is vulnerable to damage or theft.

If you would like to learn more about geothermal heat pumps and how a system might be right for your needs, be sure to contact Edge Guys Heating and Cooling for a free quote. Edge Guys Heating and Cooling understands the ins and outs of geothermal technology and will be able to install a system to meet your needs.