All About Geothermal Heat Pumps

How They Work:

A geothermal heat pumps consist of an underground loop, a compressor, and a heat exchange unit and duct work for distributing air through the house. With these parts, this system will serve as both a heating and cooling unit for a house. Under the Earth's surface (how deep will depend on where you live) there is a relatively constant temperature. The geothermal system utilizes this constant temperature instead of having to cool down air from an outside temperature of 95 degrees or heat it up from a freezing temperature outside.

The underground loop is usually made of high density polyethylene. High density polyethylene is very strong, but it has the essential quality of allowing heat to pass through it. The loop is full of water. The loop works in two different ways. When a house needs heating, the cool water traveling through the loop is pumped down to where it can be heated. After it is heated, it flows back up towards the house where the heat exchange unit and the compressor concentrate the earths energy to higher temperature and release the energy as air. When a house needs cooling, a similar, but opposite process occurs. The system works just like a refrigerator, sucking the hot air from a house and replacing it with cooler air. The heat is absorbed into the earth allowing cool air to flow back into the house.

Tax Credit:

850 million dollars has been set aside by the government for geothermal technology. For purchasing a geothermal system, the government will give up to 30% back in tax credit. This offer only lasts until the year 2016 or until the allotted money is all spent. If you purchase a system, make sure it meets the Energy Star requirements set up by the government so that you will get your credit.

Efficiency:

A geothermal heat pump can cut your energy bills in half. They are three to four times more efficient than an average heating and cooling system. The systems are very low maintenance. They're also great for the environment because they don't emit any greenhouse gases. Although these systems are generally all quite good, make sure that a system you wish to purchase exceeds the Energy Star Requirements so that you know you are getting a very efficient system.