How Can Geothermal Energy Work For Your Home?
If you're tired of expensive energy and repair bills for your current heating system, you may want to switch over to geothermal energy. Geothermal energy doesn't require electricity or gas to heat your home. Instead, it harnesses the extensive and powerful energy of the earth to keep your home warm. When you're ready to make the switch, here's what you need to know about geothermal energy and how it can drastically change the way you heat your home.
What Is Geothermal Energy?
Geothermal energy comes from heat trapped inside the earth. The heat can lie deep inside the core or mantle of the earth, or it can stay closer to the surface. Most of the heated energy transfers to an underground water reservoir, such as geyser or river. A geothermal energy specialist can tap into the heated water with a geothermal pumping system.
A geothermal pumping system can pull or draw out the earth's stored energy on a consistent basis. The system uses different parts or equipment to do this:
The Heat Exchanger Unit
This is the main unit. Contractors connect the heat-exchanging unit to a geothermal energy source like an underground well with various pipes. The pipes create another, smaller system called a loop.
The loop varies in how it's made or placed in the ground. For instance, if you wanted to use geothermal energy to heat your water supplies, as well as the home, your contractors may create a horizontal loop. A horizontal loop works well in this situation because it has the ability to cover a large amount of ground. As a result, it can meet the high demands of heating water and the rooms of the home.
However, if you desire a geothermal pumping system that heats only your home's living room, bedrooms and basement, you may choose an open loop system. An open loop system draws energy from an underground water source like a well placed on your property.
No matter what type of loop system you choose to install, you can't heat your home or water without a proper pump and duct system.
The Pump System and Duct System
The pump and duct systems work together to receive and distribute the energy put out by the geothermal system. For example:
- The pump system receives heat from the heat-exchanging unit in the ground and transfers it to your home through air ducts placed in every room of the house, including the basement and attic.
- The ducts evenly distribute the heat, which prevents the hot and cold spots you might experience with a traditional heating system like a gas or electric furnace.
- The pump system and ducts ensure that you never run out of energy to heat or power your home. If your city or state experiences extremely cold weather during the winter, you and your family benefit from this process.
You may want to have your home's duct system inspected by a professional geothermal specialist or HVAC contractor prior to installing a geothermal system. It can help stop any potential problems, such as blocked ducts, that can disrupt your home's heat circulation after the geothermal contractors place the system.
Do Seasonal Storms Affect Your Geothermal Energy System?
Another benefit of geothermal energy is a steady supply of energy during seasonal storms. It doesn't rely on electrical power, which can go out in heavy snowstorms, lightning storms or hurricanes. These problems normally occur when electrical lines fall down and create power outages in the community.
If you're ready to move forward with your geothermal energy installation, contact a specialist today to choose the right loop system for your home. Speak with a company like Greensleeves Energy Solutions for more information.