Understanding the Basics of Geothermal Heat Pumps

Geothermal heat pumps offer an innovative way to heat and cool your home. Understanding how geothermal heat pumps work will help you to appreciate the benefits of this type of heating and cooling system for your Palm Beach, Florida, home.

Parts and Installation

There are many different types of geothermal heat pumps, but all consist of a series of pipes buried in the ground. These may run vertically or horizontally depending on the available space and the requirements of the particular system that is being installed. The most important factor is that these pipes use milder underground temperatures as the fuel to power your air conditioning system.

Though temperatures vary widely above ground, they stay fairly consistent beneath the soil once you reach a depth of about 10 feet. Shallow ground temperatures are similar whether you’re in the northern or southern regions.

How It Works

Like other types of heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps don’t generate heat. Rather, they move the existing heat, drawing it in or sending it out of the home. The geothermal heat pump circulates a liquid through the buried pipes. This fluid exchanges heat with the earth to create a heating or cooling effect in the home. In winter, the fluid will absorb heat from the ground and carry it to the indoor unit. In summer, the system extracts heat from the air inside your home and transports it via the fluid into the cooler earth below, dispersing it underground to keep the home cool inside.

Energy Efficiency

Geothermal heat pumps are far more efficient than other heating and cooling systems because the temperature variation between indoor and outdoor air is less than with traditional units. In addition to lower utility bills each month, most units last up to 25 years after installation, compared to 15 years for conventional units. Geothermal units also require less maintenance than traditional heat pumps.

If you are considering a geothermal heat pump for your home, contact Preferred Air Conditioning for more information. You can reach us by calling (561) 202-1422 (Palm Beach) or (772) 905-3358 (Port St. Lucie) to discuss your options.

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