If you want to go green or just save money, geothermal is a good alternative. It is more efficient to move heat that already exists as opposed to generating heat from other sources of energy. The earth stays between 45 and 75 degrees, 4 to 6 feet below the surface. Geothermal is a very efficient system that uses the earth's constant temperature to heat and cool your home.
A geothermal unit uses a loop system filled with an environmentally friendly liquid or water buried in the ground vertically or horizontally. To heat in cold temperatures the system extracts heat from the ground, then compresses the liquid to further heat it. The heat is then transferred to the home through a radiator and duct system or through radiant floor heating. To cool the home the system simply runs the opposite direction, pulling heat out of the home replacing it with air cooled by the earth.
Types of geothermal units -
- Closed loop ( filled with environmentally safe antifreeze or water.)
- Loops are buried in the ground vertically or horizontally.
- Loops are run into a pond or reservoir.
- Uses a pond or reservoir.
- Direct exchange
- Uses a well for the water source.
Efficiency -
- Conventional forced air furnace - Propane, natural gas, fuel oil. (95% efficiency)
- Return is: 95 cents for every $1.00 spent.
- 4 units of heat for every 1 unit of energy used. $4.00 back for every $1.00 spent.
Save up to %70 on heating and cooling bills, tax rebates up to %30, very little maintenance. One system for heating and cooling and the ability to reduce hot water costs. This is truly alternative energy.
