Geothermal
Technology Grounded in Efficiency
Geothermal technology uses the stability of ground temperature to enable innovative heating and cooling. Throughout the year, the ground temperature stays constant at 55 degrees, allowing geothermal technology to transfer heat into your home during the colder months and pump heat into the ground when it’s hot.
While this may sound complicated, we’ll help you make an informed decision about whether a geothermal system is right for your home.
How it Works
Objects always contain some amount of heat energy, ensuring there’s always a source to tap into. Geothermal systems allow us to harness this energy to heat your home through liquid that conducts heat more effectively than air. This allows you to efficiently warm your home using the Earth’s natural thermal energy.
Cooling
Ground source heat pumps are a common geothermal system. Here’s a quick overview of how they work:
1) A heat exchanger absorbs heat from the air indoors using a fluid cooler than the air outside.
2) The heated fluid flows through a network of pipes and tubing buried in the ground where it releases its absorbed heat.
3) Eventually, the fluid returns to the heat exchanger, cooled off and ready to absorb more heat.
4) The cycle repeats until you achieve the desired indoor temperature.
Heating
Heating your home with a geothermal system follows a similar process to cooling, but with heat moving the other direction.
1) Fluid in the network of pipes and tubing absorb heat from the ground, which is then brought into the heat exhanger inside.
2) The heated fluid transfers its energy to the air inside, resulting in raised indoor temperatures.
3) As the fluid cools, it circulates back through piping underground.
4) The cycle repease until you achieve the diesired indoor temperature.
What to Expect
Here’s what you can expect when you work with the experts at Baumann & DeGroot.
FAQs
Quick answers to frequently asked questions about geothermal.
What is a geothermal heating and cooling system?
A geothermal system uses the earth’s stable ground temperature to heat and cool your home. Rather than generating heat by burning fuel, it transfers heat between your home and the ground through a network of buried pipes and a fluid that conducts heat, making it one of the most energy-efficient options available.
How does the ground stay at a consistent temperature year-round?
Below the frost line, the earth maintains a remarkably stable temperature of around 55 degrees regardless of the season. This consistency is what makes geothermal technology so effective, it gives the system a reliable and renewable energy source to draw from no matter how hot or cold it gets outside
How does a geothermal system cool my home in the summer?
During cooling mode, a heat exchanger inside your home absorbs heat from the indoor air using a fluid that’s cooler than the outside air. That heated fluid then travels through a network of pipes buried underground, where it releases the heat into the earth. The cooled fluid then circulates back inside, ready to absorb more heat. That cycle repeats until your desired temperature is reached.
How does a geothermal system heat my home in the winter?
In heating mode, the process reverses. Fluid circulating through the underground pipes absorbs heat from the ground and carries it back to the heat exchanger inside your home. That heat is then transferred to the indoor air, raising the temperature. As the fluid cools, it cycles back underground to collect more heat and repeat the process.
Is geothermal heating and cooling environmentally friendly?
Absolutely. Geothermal systems tap into the earth’s natural thermal energy, which is a renewable resource. They produce no on-site combustion and have a very low carbon footprint compared to systems that burn fossil fuels, making them one of the greenest home comfort options available.
How much land do I need for a geothermal system?
The amount of land required depends on the type of ground loop used and the size of your home. Horizontal loops require more surface area, while vertical loops go deeper underground and need less yard space.
What are the upfront costs of installing a geothermal system?
Geothermal systems typically have a higher installation cost than conventional HVAC systems due to the excavation and underground piping involved.
What is a ground source heat pump?
A ground source heat pump is the most common type of geothermal system. It uses a network of pipes buried in the ground filled with a heat-conducting fluid to move thermal energy between the earth and your home, providing both heating in winter and cooling in summer.
How long do geothermal systems last?
Geothermal systems are known for their longevity. The indoor components typically last around 20 to 25 years, while the underground piping can last 50 years or more with proper installation.
Is a geothermal system right for every home?
Not necessarily. Factors like property size, soil conditions, and existing infrastructure all play a role in determining whether a geothermal system is a practical fit.
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