How Geothermal Energy Works
Tired of paying high utility bills? Worried about gas leaks? Concerned with the carbon footprint you’re leaving on the environment? With a geothermal energy system, you can avoid the many stresses that come with using conventional heating and cooling systems. A geothermal system uses natural heat from the Earth to provide organic energy that can keep your home the perfect temperature year-round. If you’re wondering how geothermal energy works, we’ve got all the information you need. Read below to find out why this innovative and simple system is the perfect home improvement you didn’t know you needed!
What Is Geothermal Energy?
Geo means “the earth,” and thermal means “heat.” Geothermal energy is simply that – energy obtained from heat within the earth.
Did you know that nearly half of the sun’s energy is absorbed by our planet? Why let all of that natural energy go to waste? A geothermal system utilizes heat as an organic energy source to provide heating and cooling within the home.
The geothermal energy system used by Long Heating And Cooling employs a water solution that runs through loop pipes under the ground. The water solution absorbs the heat and transfers it where you need it. For warmth in the winter, heat from the Earth is absorbed and transported into the geothermal system in the house. Once inside, the heated solution condenses and circulates into the air, supplying the whole house with warmth. For cooling in the summer, the unwanted heat inside your home is absorbed into the water solution through your geothermal system. The heat is then transported underground through the pipes, leaving your home cool and comfortable. In addition, some of this “wasted heat” flows through a heat exchanger to supply heated domestic water.
- Installation: Installing a geothermal system with Long Heating And Cooling is incredibly simple. We do all of the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to lift a finger! How does it work? First, we drill a number of vertical holes into the ground. Next, we insert two vertical loop pipes into each hole, and then backfill each hole. The pipes are connected to a low-maintenance geothermal system inside the house, making your geothermal energy system as simple to use as a conventional heating and cooling system.
Long Heating And Cooling uses GeoComfort and ClimateMaster products (including their Trilogy 45 Series) to provide you with an outstanding in-home system. These award-winning geothermal systems have the highest overall heating capacities and efficiencies in the ground source heat pump (GSHP) industry, so you can rest assured that your geothermal system is of the highest quality. In fact, the Trilogy 45 maintains the most efficient design presently available.
Benefits Of A Geothermal Energy System
- Cost Efficient: Unlike fireplaces or furnaces, which require burning things to create heat and omit harmful gasses into the air, geothermal systems transfer heat that already exists within the Earth. Compared to a gas furnace, which has a 94% efficiency rating, a geothermal system has an incredible 400% efficiency rating, which can save you up to 70% on your monthly utility bill. Every dollar spent creates $4.00 worth of energy. As another added bonus, many cities encourage the use of geothermal systems and offer incentives for adding a geothermal system to your home. In Springfield, Missouri, for example, installing a geothermal system could get you a $1,025 rebate! Most cooperatives offer $750 per ton.
- Safe and Durable: Installing a geothermal system in your home can protect your family from gas leaks, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Some of the most common gas leaks come from in-home heaters, furnaces, and boilers. Since geothermal energy systems don’t require any fuel, you’ll never have to worry about the possibility of a carbon monoxide leak or leaking gas piping causing explosions. In addition, some homeowners insurance policies offer savings for all-electric homes.
- Environmentally Friendly: One of the best benefits of purchasing a geothermal system is that it doesn’t emit any carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases. In fact, the U.S. Energy Information Association (EIA) attributes geothermal energy to having a positive effect on the environment! Installing a geothermal energy system isn’t just beneficial to you and your home – it also benefits the planet.
Now that you know how geothermal energy works, are you interested in improving your home with a geothermal heating and cooling system? Long Heating and Cooling is here to help! We aim to provide our customers with superior service, support, and dedication. For more information about how geothermal energy works, call us toll-free at (888) 584-8138 or locally at (417) 581-8138. And to learn about the services Long Heating and Cooling has to offer, visit our website and see why our customers consider Long Heating and Cooling to be the premium Midwest company for all HVAC and geothermal solutions.