| Q & A on Geothermal |
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What is geothermal? |
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Geothermal is the process of capturing heat emitted from the earth.
As it applies to geothermal heating systems it is the process of using
ground or water to store energy (heat) in lieu of using that energy in
the future to heat a home/building (structure). A geothermal system
installed in a structure will remove heat from the home during high external
temperatures storing that energy in the ground and then using that energy
during time of cold external temperatures. |
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How does it really work? |
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In a ground loop installation, tubing is installed in the ground in a
loop configuration in trenches evenly spaced. The tubing is filled
with a methanol/water mixture and is circulated through the piping.
When the furnace starts, the circulation of the solution begins
traveling through the tubing. During the heating cycle, the furnace
exchanges heat from the solution to heat the air in your home. That
cooler solution then travels out to the warmer ground where the heat
in the ground will warm the water in the tubing to try and reach
equilibrium. During the cooling cycle, heat exchanged from the air
of your house and is added to the solution. When that warmed solution
travels out into the ground, the heat will escape the tubing into the
cooler ground to try to reach equilibrium. |
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Why is geothermal the most efficient type of heating/cooling system? |
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Geothermal systems are more efficient than conventional heating/cooling
systems because conventional heating systems use fuel/electric to
generate heating/cooling. With geothermal the only thing being
consumed by the system is electric energy used to circulate the
solution in the tubing and to run a blower fan inside the furnace.
This offers savings of 50%-75% over conventional heating/cooling
systems. |
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How long does geothermal take to install? |
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Installation does not take long at all. In most homes, the loop and
furnace installation takes only 2 days. Additional time is needed for
ductwork installation or radiant floor heating depending on the application. |
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