Mother Nature has so many valuable resources in store for humans despite the degradation it has experienced through the years. A real mother she is that’s why people should find ways to give their share in return especially when it comes to preserving our natural resources.
Geothermal energy is just one benefit we gain from the Earth. It’s free and renewable hence, using it can really provide sufficient savings to many homeowners. In a home heating system, geothermal heat pumps are among those widely used today. Also known as ground source heat pumps, these systems make use of the Earth’s heat to provide the warm air needed by people when the weather gets cold.
Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) get the heat from outside a home specifically from the ground and bring it inside to keep a family warm. The air extracted goes through some ductwork and is then circulated throughout the house using the fan.
This type of heating system has two main components – the condenser which is installed outdoor and the evaporator coil which is installed inside the home. Some models feature two-speed compressors and fans for added comfort. In addition, a desuperheater can even be used along with this heating system for purposes of heating water whether at home or in buildings.
Heat pumps of this kind have been proven to be very efficient as they utilize a natural form of energy that is renewable. Ground heat is not only very reliable in terms of heating but even in air conditioning and in heating water. The reason behind this is that heat underneath the Earth’s surface remains constant throughout the whole year. During the winter season, ground temperature is high ranging from 45 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit while it’s the opposite during summer. A classic example is the cave which has a warmer temperature inside during the winter months and a cooler atmosphere during the summer months.
The efficiency of ground source heat pumps comes from the fact that they do not burn fuel compared to the traditional home heating systems. Based on studies, about 70 percent of the energy utilized by GHPs is renewable which means it is always in constant supply. To generate heat from the ground for use in both residential and commercial structures, a geothermal heat pump uses electricity. While conventional heaters can have an efficiency rate of 95 percent, the GHPs can achieve a greater efficiency of 300 up to 400 percent even during the coldest weather.
Installation may be the only stage where homeowners need to spend a large amount. However, this should not be a major issue because of the big energy savings families can benefit in the long run.
The U.S Environment Protection Agency (EPA) confirms that using geothermal heat pumps can provide lower energy bills by about 40 percent than when one uses the regular type of heat pumps. Maintenance costs are not that high as well owing to the fact that most of the outdoor components are buried underground and thereby not affected by the changing weather. Other benefits include longer life span, the absence of noise when in operation and independence from outside air.
