Geothermal Heating and Cooling

Below the surface of the earth, the temperature remains constant. In New York, it’s always in the low 50’s. A geothermal system uses the ground’s stable temperature as a source for heat in the winter and a means of eliminating excess heat in the summer. The system circulates fluid between the building and the ground through pipes. In the hotter months, the pipes funnel heat into the ground. In the winter, they moves heat from the ground up to the house. Pumps alternate between cycles of vaporization and condensation to either absorb or release heat.

Why use geothermal systems?

Efficiency: Geothermal systems are up to four times more efficient than a fossil fuel furnace because they simply transmit heat that already exists naturally.
Cost savings: These systems lower heating and cooling costs and can provide cheaper hot water.
Flexibility: The hardware for geothermal heat pumps takes up less space than conventional systems. Also, they can create different temperatures in different parts of the home.
Durability: Since geothermal systems are housed indoors, they are not exposed to weather conditions and so last longer than their conventional counterparts.
Conservation: Geothermal systems work with the environment by using renewable, non-polluting solar thermal energy from the earth and groundwater to heat and cool your home.
Low maintenance: With fewer mechanical components, geothermal heating pumps are more reliable and less prone to failure. The ground loop lasts for 50 years and needs no maintenance.

Installation considerations

Geothermal systems are best suited for new construction, for new central air conditioning systems, and for heating and cooling upgrades to homes.
They are more advantageous in houses with constant year-round energy costs.
They come in different configurations depending on site conditions. A horizontal loop system is best for a large lot; vertical loops can be used on small lots; and pond loops are economical if the house is next to a body of water.