You’re probably already familiar with heat pumps, those systems that evaporate and condense refrigerant to either heat or cool a home. Even if you’re not, you should be. Heat pump systems offer a great many advantages, thanks to their unique construction. One of those heat pump types is geothermal heating. If you’re in the market for a new heating system this winter, have a look at what a geothermal heating system can do for you.
How It Works
A geothermal heating system relies on an underground pipe loop, buried around 30 feet underground on the property. At that depth, the temperature underground remains right around 55–60°F regardless of the temperature above ground. This means that even in the dead of winter, a geothermal system will have access to a practically infinite source of thermal energy. The pipe loop is filled with water, which is cycled through the heat pump unit in the house to siphon off its thermal energy. This thermal energy is transferred from the water, to the refrigerant inside the system, and finally to the air being circulated through the home.
Benefits of Geothermal Heating
Because a geothermal system is a heat pump, it provides many of the same advantages as those systems. A geothermal heat pump can heat or cool a home, does not burn fuel to generate heat, and is generally far more energy efficient than most other heating systems. On top of those advantages, however, it has an advantage over other heat pumps, as well. Air source heat pumps become less effective the colder the outside air is. A geothermal heat pump doesn’t draw thermal energy from the air, and thus can function just fine even when temperatures are below zero.
If you’d like to install a geothermal system in your home, call Sunset Air. We offer geothermal services throughout Olympia, WA.
