Maintaining a consistent indoor temperature is essential for providing a comfortable home environment. Modern homes are more efficient at maintaining a steady temperature than those designed in decades past, but they still require some form of external heat and cooling. One of the most efficient ways of providing adequate temperature control is installing a geothermal cooling system in Virginia Beach VA, but many homeowners are hesitant simply because they don’t understand how geothermal heat pumps work.
Rates of Temperature Consistency
The temperature on the surface of the earth can be very inconsistent. External air temperatures are dependent on the amount of sunlight and the current weather conditions. In comparison, the temperature consistency of the ground is quite consistent.
The earth absorbs almost 50% of the sun’s energy every day. This makes geothermal temperatures comparatively quite consistent. Geothermal cooling systems work by harnessing this free energy via something known as an earth loop.
What is an Earth Loop?
Closed-system earth loops work by circulating a water-based solution through high-density underground pipes. Open-loop systems instead use existing surface water or well water. What both of these systems have in common is that they transfer heat either to or from the structure using them regardless of what temperature the air is outside.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps work by extracting heat from the ground via the earth loop. As the heat is extracted, it is distributed throughout the home via air ducts, radiant flooring systems, or hot water heaters.
Geothermal Cooling
The same principles apply to every Geothermal Cooling System in Virginia Beach VA. When cooling a home, the process is simply reversed. Instead of extracting the ground’s heat, the hot air inside of the home is extracted and returned to the earth loop. Alternatively, it can also be rerouted to preheat water in hot water tanks.
Renewable Heat and Cooling
Because geothermal systems utilize the free energy provided by the ground to heat and cool the home, they are considered to be a sustainable energy system. Not only does this make them eco-friendly, but it also helps to reduce annual energy costs. Contact us for additional information about geothermal heating and cooling systems.
