How Exactly Does Geothermal Energy Work?

The HVAC industry is constantly looking for ways to reduce its carbon footprint on the environment. One of the best ways to affect this change is by utilizing renewable energy. Renewable energy can be classified as energy derived from sources that will not deplete or can be replenished during a human’s lifetime. These renewable sources include solar, hydropower, wind and geothermal, among others and do not produce the harmful emissions that fossil fuels do. Today, we are going to talk about geothermal energy, which has gained a lot of traction in recent years as a viable alternative to heating and cooling homes and other buildings.

Geothermal Energy

The first thing we need to discuss is what is geothermal energy and how does it work? The easiest way to explain geothermal energy is this: the deeper you go beneath the Earth’s surface, the warmer it will become. This is because heat energy is trapped in the Earth’s soil, rock and waters beneath the surface. Geothermal energy systems tap into this energy trapped beneath the Earth’s surface and use it to heat and cool homes and other buildings. It is also used to generate electricity, but we’re going to stick with the heating/cooling application.

Geothermal Heating

A geothermal heat pump system utilizes a series of pipes (referred to as loops) below the surface of the earth near your home. Fluid in the pipes is circulated through the loops and it warms as it passes through the loops buried underground up to 10 feet, where soil temperatures generally remain constant between 50 and 60 degrees. The heated fluid is then transported back into your home, where the heat pump uses it to heat air that is circulated through your home’s ductwork system. The cool thing about the geothermal heat pump system is that the process can be reversed in the summer to produce cooled air.

Masters + Water Furnace = Savings

Geothermal energy can save you plenty of money on utility bills over the long run, but it should be noted that the installation of a geothermal system is higher than a traditional forced air system. So, if you are interested in doing your part to reduce the carbon footprint on our environment and are in it for the long haul, geothermal heating and cooling may be a great option for you. Masters Heating & Cooling Inc. is proud to partner with Water Furnace, which manufactures its geothermal systems in Fort Wayne and is one of the largest dealers in the Midwest. Call us today to learn more about geothermal heating or stop by one of our locations in Fort Wayne, Decatur, Angola, Indianapolis, Greenwood and Mishawaka, IN.