What is Geothermal Heating – In the United States, the number of homes that have been installed with geothermal heating systems has grown from about 6,000 in 1980 to more than 40,000 today. The technology was first developed in Iceland in the 1950s and is now being used throughout the world.
What is Geothermal Heating and How Does it Work?
Geothermal comes from the Greek words geo( Earth) and therme( heat). Geothermal technology harnesses the Earth’s heat. Just a many bases below the face, the Earth maintains a near-constant temperature, in discrepancy to the summer and downtime axes of the ambient air above ground.
Geothermal heat pumps are designed to move heat from the earth to your home. Heat pumps use a closed-loop system that uses water or antifreeze as a refrigerant. As the earth heats up during the day, it absorbs heat from the air and water. The heat is then transferred to the house via a pipe called a ground loop.
There are Two Types of Geothermal Heating Systems:
- Closed loop – These systems are used in basements, attics, crawl spaces, and other areas where space is limited. In this type of system, the ground loop is buried in the earth. It is connected to the home through a pipe that runs under the foundation.
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Open loop – These systems are used when there is more room for piping. In this case, the ground loop is not buried in the earth but is located above ground near the home.
The amount of heat required by a home varies depending on the size of the home and its climate. Geothermal heating systems can be installed by an experienced contractor or by a homeowner who has some experience with plumbing. There are several companies that offer geothermal heating installation services. If you live in a region with a lot of snow, you may need to install a sub-slab system. This type of system allows you to keep the ground loop underground and still provide a heating system.
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When you are ready to purchase a geothermal heating system, consider the following:
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Cost – The cost of installing a geothermal heating system depends on how much energy you will use. You can save money on your heating bill if you install a geothermal heating system that provides less heat than your current system.
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Installation – When you install a geothermal heating unit, you will need to drill a hole into the ground. You can hire a professional contractor or do the job yourself.
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Maintenance – You should check your geothermal heating system annually to make sure it is working properly. You can also add insulation to your system to help retain heat.