Geothermal Systems, LLC.

What Is A Geothermal Energy Heat Pump System? The earth has the natural ability to efficiently store heat energy.

Whether it is 40 below in the dead of winter or 100 degrees on the hottest summer day, the soil 5’ below the surface the earth remains a relatively constant 55 degrees.

A Geothermal HVAC system uses a series of underground “loops” of flexible pipe in either a vertical or horizontal layout to circulate a mixture of glycol and water to make use of the earths ability to store heat energy.

The size of the loop is dependent upon the cooling and heating load for the building.

Once inside the building, a Geothermal HVAC system is similar to a traditional system but with many added benefits. Typically, a series of pumps circulate the fluid in the loop field, transferring or absorbing heat as needed into the earth. This fluid then passes through a heat exchanger which is tied into the building distribution system.

A geothermal system can be retrofit to most types of HVAC systems including boiler, hydronic, and forced air.

Cooling Mode, In the cooling mode, the earth acts like a giant heat sink enabling the underground loops to transfer the excess heat, removed from the building zones to the earth where it is absorbed and stored for future heating requirements.

Heating Mode, In the heating mode the Earth acts as a heat source, allowing the fluid in the loops to absorb the stored energy from the earth and transfer it into the building zones.

Do not confuse a Geothermal heat pump with a standard heat pump. A Geothermal system is using the relatively constant temperature of the earth to heat and cool your home.

A standard "heat pump" uses an exterior coil, much like an air conditioner to extract heat from the air. Although a "heat pump" is a very efficient system, it is only effective to 25 degrees at which point you need to switch back to standard heating methods.

Overall savings over a traditional system can be as great as 60-70%. Geothermal Systems can be installed in new and existing buildings and can be adapted for both forced air, radiant baseboard, and hydronic in floor heat.