Why Geothermal Systems Work Year-Round

Why Geothermal Systems Work Year-Round

September 6, 2019

The list of different ways that you can control the climate in your home has grown, and in 2019, that list is quite extensive. You’ve got more options than ever, and while it may be tiring to think about the different choices out there, it may be beneficial to consider going a different route than a traditional HVAC unit.

One of those is through a geothermal heating and cooling system. It utilizes a totally unique method of regulating the temperature in your home, and plenty of homeowners have already switched to this. And don’t think that geothermal systems are just limited to cooling your home in the summer – they work around the clock, and the experts at Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric will tell you how!

How Geothermal Systems Work

Unlike traditional HVAC systems, which function by cycling outside air through a series of tubes and pipes in your home, a geothermal system moves the base of operations outside – and underground. This system includes a series of pipes installed beneath the earth where the temperature is relatively stable.

The pipes, which go back to your home, contain refrigerant-like liquid that absorbs heat. When you heat your home, the liquid gathers the heat from the ground outside and travels to the heat pump in your home, where the heat is dispersed throughout your ducts.

But here’s the cool part: when you want cooler temperatures in the summer, the process is reversed. The air in your home is absorbed instead, and it’s taken to the ground outside and released.

Are There Differences in Geothermal Systems?

There are! Geothermal systems, while still all the same general idea, can be categorized into two types of operation: closed-loop and open-loop.

• Closed-loop systems utilize the method that we described earlier. Tubes carry a liquid from your home to the ground outside and return once that liquid has either been heated or cooled, depending on the time of year. Closed-loop systems are more common, and they’re what you’ll probably get if you have a geothermal system installed.
• Open-loop systems rely on a nearby reserve of groundwater to heat and cool your home. They pull the water in and heat or cool it, move it through your heat pump where the air in your home is warmed/cooled, then keep the water moving to a separate point where it is dumped. Pollution-free, of course!

You can also install either horizontal or vertical loops. Horizontal loops are what you’ll get most of the time. They’re better for residential systems since they’re cheaper to install, whereas vertical loops require much deeper holes and thus are more expensive.

Discover the Benefits of Geothermal Systems with Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric

Geothermal systems can be extremely beneficial for you and your family – they offer significant savings on energy costs thanks to the natural temperature of the ground, and they last quite a long time without needing to be replaced.

For more information on how a geothermal system could be right for your home, get in touch with the professionals at Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric! We’ll help you figure out what works best for your situation and provide advice you can trust.

Give us a call at 800-937-6736 today!

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