What is Geothermal Heating & Cooling?

   Geothermal energy has been used to heat and air condition buildings for several decades, and, during that time, these geothermal systems have been called many different things. Some of the more popular variations include geo-thermal, geoexchange, ground-water, ground-water assisted, ground-water-source, and water-to-water. All of these terms convey the same thought, the use of geothermal heat pump technology to tap the energy in the earth's surface and drive a heating and air conditioning system for both residential and commercial uses. The result is a green or natural heat pump that saves energy and benefits the environment.



Geothermal Heat Pumps

   No matter what climate you live in, the temperature throughout the year varies. For some climates that means blazing summers that cool to frigid winters. What many people don't realize is that the temperature below ground (regardless of climate or season) stays fairly consistent all year. The ground is able to maintain a higher rate of temperature consistency because it absorbs 47% of the suns energy (heat) as it hits the Earth's surface. Geothermal systems are able to tap into this free energy with an earth loop. This technology is then used to provide your home or office with central heating and cooling. 

Heating

   During the heating cycle, a geothermal heat pump uses the earth loop to extract heat from the ground. As the system pulls heat from the loop it distributes it through a conventional duct system as warm air. The same heat energy can also be used for a radiant floor system or domestic hot water heating.

Cooling

   In the cooling mode, the heating process is reversed - creating cool, conditioned air throughout the home. Instead of extracting heat from the ground, heat is extracted from the air in your home and either moved back into the earth loop, or used to preheat the water in your hot water tank. 

How Can You Learn More About Geothermal Heat Pumps?

   To learn more about how the Zero Energy Team can help you install a new Geothermal heat pump solution or how we can help you retrofit your existing system with a Geothermal Heat Pump system please use our contact us form or call your local Zero Energy Team member at 480-444-2188.