Geothermal heat pumps provide a different way to heat your home than traditional furnaces and heat pumps. These heat pumps are known as ground source heat pumps because they essentially harness the temperature underground and use it to heat your home. Basically, the step by step process of how it works is this:
- Ground absorbs heat from the sun. Then, the water-filled pipes underground absorb that heat.
- The liquid carries the heat through the pipes and reaches your heat pump
- Geothermal heat pump absorbs the heat from the pipes and sends heated air to your central heating system
According to the Department of Energy, Geothermal heat pumps can keep users comfortable for up to 50 years and cut energy bills by 65 %. However, many homeowners considering geothermal heat pumps have one common concern; can geothermal heating help during the winter? In this blog, the pros at Acree answer this question!
Can Geothermal Heating Help During Winter? Yes, it can!
One of the important facts you should know about geothermal heating is that it works for every climate. Homeowners considering these heat pumps worry that during the winter, the geothermal heating system will not be able to absorb heat as effectively. However, because the earth’s underground temperature remains consistent throughout all seasons, geothermal heating will work effectively even in the coldest winter. In fact, there is actually a higher concentration of geothermal heat pumps in colder regions across the United States. There are about a million geothermal heat pumps providing heating in homes and businesses—it is a common method of heating that lasts long and saves energy!
Types of Geothermal Heating Systems
If you’re considering installing a geothermal heat pump in your home, you should also know about the different types of systems that exists. There is a closed loop system, which is used by the majority of GHP users in the United States. In a closed loop system, the geothermal heat pump uses a ground heat exchanger that circulates anti-freeze solution through the system. The pipes in this system are usually made of plastic tubing and are buried underground. In an open loop system, the heat pump uses surface water or water from a pond or well to circulate directly through the GHP system.
Vertical systems, horizontal systems and hybrid systems also exist. The horizontal system is the most cost-effective for residential geothermal heat pumps, while vertical systems are better for commercial use. Hybrid systems use various geothermal resources and are good for providing cooling as well.
Consider your Geothermal Heating Options with Acree!
We hope this guide on geothermal heating answered your questions about geothermal heat pumps. If you want to learn more about your heating options, get in touch with the pros at Acree. Our licensed and experienced technicians will address your concerns and answer all your questions with utmost professionalism. Call us today at (813) 530-9061 or schedule an appointment with us on our website!
