Regardless of the type, air conditioners and heaters all work on similar operating principles. An air conditioner’s job is to pump heat out of a structure and a heater’s job is to burn fossil fuels for direct heat or use the pressure of a refrigerant as a heat pump. A geothermal system works on the same principles as a conventional heat pump with the exception that the refrigerant is recycled by using the constant temperature of the earth or a body of water instead of using fans.
In the case of cooling, as a heat pump removes heat from a home the heat is transferred into water that is warmed to cool off the refrigerant. The warm water is then pumped underground or through a body of water inside pipes so that it is cool for another cooling cycle. When heat is desired the cycle is reversed. This is why they are called “ground source heat pumps.”
What Are the Benefits of Geothermal Heating and Cooling?
While geothermal heating and cooling are not considered “conventional systems,” they have rapidly gained popularity over the last decade or so. The reason for the interest in geothermal systems is because of the benefits they provide. Some of these benefits include:
Environmentally friendly: Geothermal heating is done without burning fossil fuels so there is no release of greenhouse gases. Also, geothermal cooling is much more efficient than just a heat pump so there is less energy used for doing the same amount of work.
Longevity: All of the components of a geothermal system are housed inside so there is less wear and tear on the system. Furthermore, geothermal units have a life expectancy of 25 years as opposed to 15 years for a conventional system.
Operation costs: Because there are no cooling fans that need to operate, geothermal systems save energy, potentially as high as 50%. By taking advantage of the free heat energy of the earth, customers can save lots of money over the lifespan of a geothermal system.
This was a guest blog written by the experts over @ https://allianceexpertservices.com/geothermal-heat-pumps/
Alliance Expert Services
6500 S Council Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73169
Phone: 405-236-2222
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