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.
The Geothermal System
The main components of a geothermal system are the ground loop, which is filled with environmentally friendly antifreeze, and the ground-source heat pump, which helps with the heat exchange process. During the winter months, the antifreeze in the ground loop absorbs the latent solar heat in the ground just below the frost line and transfers it to the heat pump where the heat is concentrated; the heat is then blown into your home. In the summer, the heat inside your home is absorbed and transferred to the ground surrounding the ground loop, creating what is known as a “heat sink”, which absorbs the heat from your home.
How the System Is Green
The first item you’ll notice about a geothermal system is that it doesn’t use any kind of fossil fuel, and the refrigerant used to facilitate the transfer of heat is environmentally friendly. The second item to know is that the system leaves almost no carbon footprint; the only energy expelled that contributes to a carbon footprint is the small amount of electricity used by the heat pump for operation. Another green aspect of the system is its longevity: the ground loop is designed to last 25-50 years and the heat pump lasts 20-25. This means that you aren’t replacing a heating or cooling system every 10 to 15 years.
The key with any geothermal system is expert installation, and this is where the trained professionals at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling come in. We have been helping customers in the Quakertown area with heating and cooling solutions since 1976, and we can help you, too. Call us today and see how “green” we can make your home cooling!