Carney All Seasons Blog: Archive for the ‘Geothermal’ Category

Is Geothermal Heating and Cooling Right for You?

Monday, October 10th, 2022
geothermal

If you’ve been searching endlessly online for ‘geothermal installation near me‘ then you can stop looking. You found us! We live and work in your community, and our experts specialize in geothermal installation. Maybe you’ve heard geothermal as a buzzword that has piqued your interest, but you’re not exactly sure what it is.

We can help! Geo is the prefix of the word, and it means “of the earth” while thermal means “related to heat.” So combined, geothermal means related to the heat of the earth. And that’s exactly how a geothermal heating and cooling system works. It uses the heat of the earth to control the temperature inside your home. If you want to learn more, just keep reading.

Continue Reading

The Advantages of Installing a Geothermal System

Monday, January 9th, 2017

If you’re looking for a new heating system in the middle of winter, chances are you’re in a bit of a hurry. Either your current heating system is in the process of breaking down, or has already given up the ghost entirely. In your rush to restore heating to your home, though, it’s important that you don’t overlook systems that might fit your needs better than just installing any system that fits. Geothermal heating is one of those systems that you should consider.

Continue Reading

What The Geothermal Tax Credit Expiration Means for You

Monday, November 21st, 2016

One of the things that has really propelled the growth of green technology over the decades has been government subsidies. For example, a very generous 30% tax credit has been in place for years for those who install systems like geothermal heat pumps. Unfortunately, parts of that tax credit are expiring at the end of this year. Geothermal systems are part of the provisions that are expiring. If you want to have a new geothermal system installed in your home, now is the time to do it.

Continue Reading

How Does a Geothermal HVAC System Provide Heat?

Monday, October 26th, 2015

One of the least understood HVAC systems around is the geothermal system. It’s understandable, as this system works very differently from any kind of traditional heating system, like a furnace or boiler. Now that we are heading into the heating season, you may be wondering exactly how a system like this provides your home with enough heat without using a combustible fuel. We’ll explain more about this below.

Continue Reading

How Are Leaks in a Geothermal Loop Detected?

Monday, August 31st, 2015

It’s usually one of the biggest concerns of any geothermal system owner: what happens if the ground loop develops a leak? How will I know? How will it be found? And most importantly, does the whole yard need to be dug up to repair a leak in the ground loop? Here are some answers to these questions from the geothermal experts at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling.

Continue Reading

Looking for a “Green” AC System? Consider Geothermal

Tuesday, April 14th, 2015

Air conditioners have not been known for their environmental friendliness, and this has led to the development and improvement of a variety of AC systems. One system that especially worth noting for being green is the geothermal system. This system has a great number of benefits, as we’ll explain below, but the one of the benefits that is simply outstanding for the environment is this: the system gives back 3-4 units of energy for every 1 unit it expends to heat or cool your home. Wondering how this happens? Let’s take a look at how the system works.

Continue Reading

How to Keep Your Geothermal System Running Optimally

Friday, March 13th, 2015

Geothermal systems don’t have a lot of moving parts, but this doesn’t mean that there aren’t some basic things that you can do to keep your system healthy. We aren’t recommending that you perform any kind of repair or maintenance yourself on your geothermal system – leave that for the experts. Rather, our Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling experts would like to pass along some geothermal energy tips that may help keep your geothermal system in Bedminster, PA, healthy.

Tip #1: Schedule Bi-Annual Maintenance

You may be asking: twice a year – really? Yep, really. Your geothermal system provides your home with both heating and cooling, so the system’s heat pump works all year long, not just seasonally. As such, it does twice the work of a single heating or cooling system. Maintenance for your geothermal system will keep the system energy efficient, help discover any existing or developing problems and make sure that your system’s anti-freeze is at the right levels. Maintenance also involves cleaning, adjusting and lubrication, so you can rest assured that your heat pump will also be given a thorough going-over and the attention it needs to be in good working order.

Tip #2: Schedule Duct Cleaning

If you have a ducted geothermal system, it’s just as important to maintain your ductwork as it is to maintain the heat pump of your system. A thick layer of dust and dirt can disrupt the air flow in your system, creating unnecessary stress; this layer will also blow into your living spaces, compromising the indoor air quality in your home. Ductwork can often be neglected because it isn’t visible, but it is an important part of your heating and cooling system.

Tip #3: Change the Air Filters Every 3 Months

A dirty air filter can wreak havoc on your geothermal system. Not only will it block air flow, it will also put stress on your system and cause problems with your home’s indoor air quality. But there is a simple solution to all of these issues: change the air filter every 3 months.

Geothermal systems may not need as much upkeep as other types of home HVAC systems, but this doesn’t mean that they are maintenance-free and utilizing these geothermal energy tips from our Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling experts can help you stay ahead of problems.

Our experts are always on hand to help, so if you are experiencing problems with your geothermal system, contact us today!

Continue Reading

How Effective is Geothermal Cooling?

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Geothermal cooling is relatively new to the residential cooling and heating market, but the science behind it has been around for decades. Geothermal systems are very effective in two important ways: first, they are very energy efficient and second, they are excellent at providing comfortable cooling and heating for your home. If you are considering geothermal cooling in Warminster, but have some questions about how the system will work, call the experts who can help: Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Effective Cooling

A geothermal system is very effective at cooling your home for a couple of reasons. First, the system uses a heat pump, which transfers the heat and humidity from your home and transfers it into the ground where the loop resides. The cooling is a constant, low level disbursement of air that creates a nice, even temperature throughout your living spaces. Second, geothermal systems typically dehumidify the air up to 30% more than traditional air conditioners, naturally balancing the moisture levels in your home.

Highly Effective for Energy Efficiency

There are several reasons a geothermal system is so effective at being energy efficient. First, the system doesn’t use any fossil fuels at all. Second, the heat pump for the geothermal system uses very little electricity to run. Third, a geothermal system uses a source for energy that isn’t just renewable, it’s nonstop: the constant, steady temperature of the Earth just below the frost line. This resource will never run out, making it beyond sustainable. Fourth, the savings you will realize over time due to the energy efficiency of the system is significant: a reduction up to 60-70% of annual cooling and heating costs. These are the main reasons why geothermal systems are so effective in significantly increasing your energy efficiency and decreasing your carbon footprint.

Geothermal systems are incredibly energy efficient, and with average life spans of 25-50 years, they are also incredibly durable.

If you think geothermal cooling in Warminster may be the right choice for your home, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

Continue Reading

How Geothermal Systems Can Both Cool and Heat Your Home

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Geothermal systems form an alternative to traditional heating and air conditioning systems, and you often see geothermal cooling in King of Prussia and other nearby towns. The term can be a little confusing, since geothermal cooling systems can often be used to heat your home in the winter as well as cool it in the summer. How does that work? The equation can be confusing for those accustomed to separate units for heating and air conditioning. In truth, the principles underlying the system explains how geothermal systems can both heat and cool your home.

How Geothermal Works Both Ways

The temperature beneath the earth doesn’t change. Once you get past the first five or six feet, the changes in temperature above ground don’t affect it at all. That constant allows a geothermal system to facilitate a heat exchange through the coils buried under the earth. The coils carry a mixture of water and antifreeze which allows the heat exchange to take place. In the summer time, the mixture pulls heat from the air in your house. Then the system pumps it through the coils, where the heat can bleed out into the surrounding earth. In the wintertime, the process is reverse. This time, the cool mixture pulls heat from the earth, then carries it back into your home, where it can be released into the air with a fan. The relationship is basically the same, the only question is which direction the heat is travelling.

That versatility is a big part of the geothermal system’s appeal. It allows you to both cool and heat your home with efficiency and ease. Geothermal systems use very little energy, which means they can save you a great deal on monthly costs. Best of all you can use geothermal cooling in King of Prussia during our hot summers without having to worry about switching systems when temperatures get cool this fall.

The experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help you plan and install a solid geothermal cooling system on your property. Give us a call to set up a consultation today!

Continue Reading

How Are Geothermal Systems Installed?

Monday, March 4th, 2013

Geothermal  systems are becoming more and more popular. Not only are they versatile—capable of both heating and cooling your home—but they also use far less energy than conventional systems. The installation process of geothermal systems is often misunderstood. We want to clear up any confusion our customers have so we put together a short description of how they’re installed. For fast and reliable geothermal installation in Ambler, PA, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

There are a variety of different types of geothermal heat pumps, including closed loop, open loop, ground source, water source and others. All of these systems are different, but they all share the major geothermal components: the loop, geothermal heat pump unit, and ductwork. The most important consideration of every homeowner thinking of a geothermal unit in their home is professional installation. Only a qualified geothermal expert will be able to ensure that your system is installed correctly. 

So, how are geothermal systems installed? Knowing the installation process can be a valuable asset during the installation process. Here are a few steps:

  • Planning. This stage involves a comprehensive evaluation of your home and the surrounding area in order to ensure your geothermal heat pump matches your heating and cooling needs. We can’t stress enough the importance of planning the installation. There are many factors to consider: from the windows, insulation, and ceiling height to the home’s layout and its orientation on the land.
  • Excavation and Loop Installation. Depending on the size and layout of your property, there are two basic options for the excavation and loop installation process: deep, vertical holes that go more than 100 feet into the ground, or a relatively shallow horizontal bed of piping. The loop itself is made out of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)that is thermal-fused for strong connections.
  • Unit. The heat pump itself typically resides in the basement, just like a furnace or air conditioner unit. The refrigerant or water mixture that circulates through the pipes are branched together and run from the heat pump out into the loop.

Geothermal installations in Ambler, PA require quality workmanship, which is why many homeowners rely on Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We perform exceptional work and deliver superior customer service. Call us today! 

Continue Reading