At ThermAll, we do more than the standard heating and cooling for homes. We also install and service geothermal HVAC systems. These are year-round comfort systems that work similarly to the conventional heat pump: in the hot weather, they remove heat from the house and put it outside; and in cold weather, they pull heat from outside and bring it inside. The difference is that a standard heat pump (an air-source heat pump) uses the air outside to run, while a geothermal heat pump (a ground-source heat pump) uses the earth via a series of loops buried in the ground on a home’s property.
Why is it beneficial to use the earth for heat exchange rather than the earth? We’ll explain in more detail below how installing a geothermal heat pump can benefit both you and the planet.
Geothermal has greater energy efficiency
The secret to the high energy efficiency of a ground-source heat pump is that the temperature of the earth below 10’ remains stable. No matter the weather above—a heat wave or a deep freeze—the below-ground temperature will remain steady at around 45°F. That makes it easier for the heat pump to extract the necessary thermal energy for heating in the winter and to deposit thermal energy removed for cooling in the summer. In fact, ground-source heat pumps run at 4 to 6 times greater efficiency than air-source heat pumps. That’s a lot of money you’ll save over the system’s service life.
Geothermal has a long service life
Speaking of which … a geothermal HVAC system has an impressive lifespan (provided it has regular maintenance). The interior heat pump components will last for around 15 years, which is similar to an air-source heat pump. But the ground loops, which are the most expensive parts to install, can last for more than 50 years. That gives you plenty of time to enjoy the performance of your geothermal system.
Geothermal is more reliable
A problem that air-source heat pumps often face is when the outdoor temperature falls too far in the winter for the outdoor coil to draw enough heat. A heat pump will lose energy efficiency on extremely cold days as it works harder trying to extract enough heat to warm up the house. Ground-source heat pumps don’t have this problem—they always have ample underground heat, so you don’t need to worry about your geothermal heat pump straining to work during one of the coldest days—a time when you need it the most.
Geothermal is environmentally friendly
If you want to help the planet, getting geothermal heating and cooling in Yakima, WA is one of the best tools available. Because of the high energy efficiency of ground-source heat pumps, they have far lower electrical demands, reducing the strain placed on power plants. The more homes that switch to geothermal, the less energy we use overall.
If you have any further questions about installing a geothermal heating and cooling system for your home, feel free to call us.
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