Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems are Environmentally Friendly
Posted by admin on
March 15, 2010
Geothermal heating and cooling systems serve numerous purposes. Basically, they are used for space conditioning, i.e., making any space comfortable. Geothermal heating and cooling systems are used to provide heating, cooling, humidity control and in some cases, hot water.
Today, geothermal heating and cooling systems are used worldwide. No longer confined to businesses alone, geothermal heating and cooling systems are now popular in many homes. One of the best things about geothermal heating and cooling systems is that they are good for the environment. They work by utilizing geothermal energy harnessed from the earth’s core. The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized geothermal heating and cooling systems as the ‘most environmentally sensitive of all space condition systems.’
Another big plus for geothermal heating and cooling systems is that they are extremely energy efficient. Statistics have shown that geothermal heating and cooling systems can result in up to 70 percent savings on heating bills. Geothermal healing and cooling systems can also help reduce cooling costs by up to 50 percent. This means that the average household can realize savings in excess of one thousand dollars per year by switching to geothermal heating and cooling systems.
Uses of Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
There are many uses for geothermal heating and cooling systems. Apart from space conditioning, the systems are used in farming, kilns and for desalination. They are environmentally friendly as well as energy and cost efficient. Any building that uses excessive amounts of energy or needs constant cooling is suitable for using geothermal heating and cooling systems.
The Workings of Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
Geothermal heating and cooling systems have three main parts. These are:
- The geothermal heat pump which is connected to the building via air ducts. These ducts are the distribution system. The main purpose of a heat pump in a geothermal heating and cooling system is to exchange heat with the earth.
- The earth connection which helps to transfer fluids between the geothermal heating and cooling systems and the earth.
- A distribution subsystem which is used primarily for humidity control as well as the distribution of hot and cold air through the geothermal heating and cooling systems ductworks.
The major drawback to using geothermal heating and cooling systems over conventional systems is cost. The technology is still relatively new and therefore costs between 20 to 30 percent more to be installed. Once installed, the savings from using the much more efficient geothermal heating and cooling systems will become evident over time. In fact, many geothermal heating and cooling systems help users recover the cost in as little as five years.
If considering geothermal heating and cooling systems, it is advisable to have the installation done by professionals. This will ensure that the job is done properly. If installed incorrectly, geothermal heating and cooling systems may not deliver as expected.
Summary: Geothermal heating and cooling systems are both environmentally friendly and energy efficient. They cost more than conventional heating and cooling systems, but pay for themselves over time.
Related: geothermal heat pump systems