Wouldn’t it be perfect if you could maintain a comfortable temperature in your home and workplace, regardless of the season? Luckily, thanks to geothermal energy systems, achieving this is easier than ever before. This article will provide you with the right information required to set up a geothermal system.
Before we dig deeper into the benefits of geothermal energy, let us first understand exactly how the system works.
Throughout the year, the temperatures above ground varies significantly. However, 4 to 6 feet below the ground, the temperature changes very little. Geothermal energy systems take advantage of this natural phenomenon. During Summer, the system extracts hot air from your home and buries it into the ground. In return, it then transfers cool air into your home. During Winter, it performs the same function for the opposite purpose; transferring cool air to the ground and returning warm air in exchange.
A geothermal energy system mainly comprises an earth loop, made up of an indoor handling unit with a hidden system of pipes.
Many people are comfortable with the idea of using the conventional air-source pumps. Although, geothermal energy sources are expected to prevail inevitably, and it’s benefits are not as commonly known as they should be. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose a geothermal heat pump over a traditional heat pump.
A conventional air-source heat pump operates between an energy efficiency of 175% to 300%. Compared to these figures, a geothermal heat pump has an efficiency of almost twice as much, being at 300% to 600%, throughout the year.
The installation cost of a geothermal energy system is more than that of a traditional air-source pump. However, with a lower operational cost and higher energy efficiency, the difference in cost pays back in no time. Another major bonus is that a building containing an installed geothermal energy system can sell at a significantly increased price, due to the convenience of consistent lower energy bills.
Traditional heat pumps need to be partly stored outside, meaning they are at a higher risk of getting worn out and also require regular cleaning. On the other hand, geothermal energy systems are exposed to less damage as they are mainly stored indoors and underground. Due to this reason, they require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan.
The service life of a conventional heat pump is roughly 20 years, whereas the underground loop of a geothermal energy system can last over 50 years. It will ultimately last you over twice as long as a traditional heating system.
These are, of course, only a few obvious benefits of a geothermal system. With the summer season in full swing, cooling solutions are in high demand. For assistance with finding high quality geothermal accessories and equipment, we at Plastech Plus are happy to help.