Geothermal energy is a rapidly growing field in the United States. Today it’s more widely available for residential use than ever before. However, not every heating and cooling contractor offers the benefits of geothermal heat pumps to their customers. But we do!
In this post, we’d like to address a question we often hear from homeowners in the area: “Is a geothermal comfort system even a possibility for my home and property?”
The requirements of geothermal heating and cooling
Let’s start with the basics: how a geothermal system works for a home. Geothermal heating and cooling is based on the operation of a heat pump. But unlike a standard heat pump, which uses the outside air as its medium for heat exchange, a geothermal system uses the temperature of the ground approximately 6’ below the frost line for heat exchange. For this reason, geothermal heat pumps are also called ground-source heat pumps.
To access the underground energy for a geothermal heat pump, installers must place loops down into the ground. These loops contain a mixture of water and anti-freeze that absorb or deposit heat. A home needs to have sufficient space for these loops in order to benefit from a heat pump.
However, you don’t need to have an enormous yard or access to wide acreage in order to have a workable geothermal system. Loop configurations are smaller than they once were, and there is also the option for a vertical loop configuration that goes straight down and takes up less space (although it may cost more to install).
The best way to find out if your property is suited to geothermal installation is to contact specialists. They can inform you if a geothermal system is feasible and cost-effective. If it isn’t, the specialists can locate a heating and cooling system that will offer you the best possible energy efficiency for your home comfort.
Comfort Flow Heating offers extensive geothermal heating and cooling services for residents of Eugene, OR and the surrounding areas. Call today to schedule an appointment.
