Some Information About Cooling Your Home with a Geothermal System

When you think of the word "geothermal," you probably do not associate it with the ability to keep your home cool in the heat of the summer. While many people know about using geothermal energy to heat their home, they do not realize it can also cool things down. The truth is, these systems are very good at both. If you are looking for a cost-effective way to keep your house at a comfortable temperature year-round, this could be your best option. Here are a few things you should know to help you better understand.

Geothermal Cooling

Right around 7 to 10 feet deep in the ground, the earth maintains a constant temperature of roughly 55 degrees Fahrenheit. A geothermal system uses pipes inserted into the ground to that depth. They can be placed vertically or horizontally, depending on how much space you have. Water flows through the pipes in the ground and up into your home. The water absorbs heat. In the summer when your house is warmer than 70 degrees, it takes the heat from your house and carries it into the ground. As the heat is dispersed into the ground the water cools so that it can then take on more heat from inside. 

Energy Efficient

Because the system is not using any energy to change the temperature of the water, it does not require much energy at all. The only energy required is to run the pump that moves the water. A lot of energy is used, though, when your HVAC system itself is involved in the process of heating or cooling the air. Since the ground is doing all the work naturally, geothermal HVAC is very energy efficient, saving you a lot of money on your heating and cooling bills.

Environmentally Friendly

Geothermal systems do not require the burning of any fossil fuels to cause the temperature changes in your home. This not only saves on the amount of nonrenewable fuel used but also reduces the number of harmful emissions into the air, reducing air pollution.

A geothermal system can be installed for your home regardless of whether you are starting to build it or if it is already built. Of course, it may be a bit more difficult for an existing home, but it will be well worth the added cost and work. If you are unsure of how much it could save you over the years, contact a company that handles geothermal HVAC systems. They will be glad to help you find the one that will best suit your home.

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