Keeping your home warm during the winter is a key concern, and it also represents the largest operating cost of your home outside of air conditioning. Everyone wants to find a heating system that is efficient and can be operated without breaking the bank. As energy prices have risen along with concerns about energy use, people are looking for alternative means to keep their homes warm during the winter.
Renewable energy sources are one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world. Since our home is where we spend most of our time and money, it is a key area where we can save energy and increase efficiency.
When it comes to environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient renewable forms of heating, geothermal is one of the most popular. It is highly efficient and is suitable for use in most climates.
What Is Geothermal Heat and How Does It Work?
Geothermal heating uses the internal heat of the earth. Geothermal systems are installed below ground in either an open- or closed-loop system.
The earth absorbs much of the heat of the sun, which means that below the surface, the internal temperature of the earth can range from about 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, consistently.
A geothermal system takes advantage of this heat and uses it to help heat your home. Underground pipes will absorb much of the internal heat of the earth.
Inside these pipes is a liquid (most often antifreeze or water, depending on whether you use an open- or closed-loop system) that carries the earth’s heat to a heat pump where the heat is separated from the water and pumped into your home.
Geothermal uses traditional internal HVAC systems of ductwork to circulate the warm air throughout your home.
Benefits of Geothermal Heat
The biggest benefit of geothermal energy is just how efficient it is. For many people, their energy usage is cut in half by using geothermal energy.
This is because natural internal earth heat is used to warm the home, meaning that less energy needs to be used to get your home to the desired temperature.
While it is true that for the setup, geothermal systems can be far more expensive than a traditional heating system, your monthly energy savings mean that the systems will pay for themselves in about a decade.
The increased energy efficiency isn’t just easier on our energy bills, it is also easier on the earth. Using the earth’s natural heat means that less non-renewable energy needs to be used to keep your house warm and comfortable.
Geothermal systems, while relatively new, are also really simple in design and don’t require a ton of expensive maintenance. These systems tend to last a lot longer than other heating systems.
The in-home components can last as long as 25 years and the underground components can last as long as 50 years, which is far longer than a traditional gas or electric fan forced furnace system.
How Warm Does Geothermal Heat Get?
While the source of heat is different than the traditional heating system, your experience of heat will be the same. The internal home components of the distribution system work much the same way as any other heating source. Hot air is circulated around the home through ductwork and forced air.
The heat provided by geothermal heating matches traditional heating systems. You still use a regular thermostat, which you can set to your desired temperature. There is no upper limit to how warm a geothermal system can keep your home.
Just keep in mind that regardless of what type of system you use, the warmer you keep your home, the more it is going to cost.
In Closing
Geothermal heating is rapidly growing in popularity for a wide range of reasons. While the costs of geothermal heating may be more expensive to install, they are so much more efficient than traditional types of heating.
Not only does the system pay for itself over time, but it also helps you reduce your reliance on non-renewable energy to keep your home warm during the cold months.
This system is far more energy-efficient than traditional heating and can reduce your monthly energy usage by more than 50%. The systems provide for consistent, quality heat and can keep the inside of the home just as warm as a gas or electric furnace.
For those who are looking for a comfortable, consistent, and trusted way to keep their homes warm during the cold months without wasting a ton of energy, geothermal heating is an excellent option.
This system will dramatically reduce your reliance on non-renewable energy while keeping your home comfortably warm during the cold months.
This type of heating system is suitable for use in any climate, making it one of the most accessible forms of renewable energy available.