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What to Know Before Installing a Geothermal Heat Pump in Your Home
One of the most sustainable home heating and cooling systems is a geothermal heat pump. Often called “the forgotten renewable,” geothermal systems are gaining in popularity with cost-conscious homeowners. Is heat pump installation right for your home? Here’s what you need to know.
How does a geothermal heat pump work?
Geothermal heat pumps pull the heat naturally generated underground to heat the home during the cold months, and pushes the hot air from the home back underground during the warm months. The system circulates the heated air with a water-based solution. This is possible year round because the temperature below ground is a constant 55 degrees below the frostline, about 10 feet down.
How efficient is a geothermal heat pump?
These systems have one of the highest efficiency rates of any type of HVAC, generating four units of energy for heating or cooling the home for every one unit of energy used to power the system. This translates to a 400% efficiency rate. A new high-efficiency furnace can only average 96% efficiency.
What are the types of geothermal heat pumps?
The pump uses a system of buried pipes that circulate the water. There are several different configurations.
- Most residential properties use a closed loop horizontal system of underground looped pipes with an antifreeze solution.
- If the property has a pond or lake, the pipes can be installed in the water.
- An open loop system can be used with a clean source of water, such as a well, that can be used to supply the piping system and then be returned to the source.
How is a geothermal heat pump maintained?
Regular maintenance for optimal performance and efficiency includes:
- Performing routine maintenance to clean all parts.
- Changing the air filters at least twice a year.
- Having a certified technician analyze the antifreeze levels annually.
- Having the ductwork and piping professionally inspected annually.
What are the benefits of a geothermal heat pump?
Geothermal heat pumps are expensive to install, but have many benefits. They save up to 50% on heating and cooling costs all year long. They heat and cool your home with clean, renewable energy with no emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or other greenhouse gases. They are quieter than other systems. They are low maintenance and last a long time (about 25 years).
