The Benefits of Geothermal Cooling

Monday, August 1st, 2016 at 11:00 am

If you're in the market for a new air conditioning system this summer, you're probably looking at a range of different systems. Each type of air conditioning system has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and each will be best suited to a different situation. Let's take a look at one of those system types, geothermal cooling, and what it has to offer.

What is Geothermal Cooling?

A geothermal cooling system is a heat pump, which means it uses refrigerant to move heat from one place to the other. Like all heat pumps, a geothermal system can offer both heating and cooling functions. Unlike most heat pumps, though, geothermal cooling systems don't exchange heat between the home and the outside air.

A geothermal system involves installing an underground loop next to the home, at a depth of about 30 feet. The loop is filled with water, and connected to the main unit installed inside the home. When in cooling mode, the system collects heat from the home's air and vents it into the water in the loop. In heating mode, thermal energy is taken from the water in the loop and released in to the home.

Advantages of Geothermal Cooling

Geothermal systems offer a number of strong advantages over traditional climate control systems. For one, the ability to offer both heating and cooling functions means that you can save quite a bit of money and space by installing a geothermal system. Geothermal systems are quite a bit more energy efficient than traditional heating systems as well, since they don't have to burn fuel to generate heat. Finally, geothermal heat pumps don't rely on outside air for thermal energy during winter. No matter how low the temperature drops outside, a geothermal system will always have access to plenty of thermal energy.

American Heating & Cooling offers geothermal installation services throughout Paintsville, KY.