What Makes Geothermal HVAC So Efficient in Crawfordville, FL?
If you’re looking for comfort with extra energy efficiency, you can’t beat a geothermal HVAC system. The reason for this lies in the unique way that geothermal systems function. Here’s the secret to the extreme efficiency of geothermal HVAC systems and why they’re a good choice in Crawfordville, FL.
What Is Geothermal HVAC?
If you’re unfamiliar with them, geothermal HVAC systems are heat pumps, which provide both heating and cooling. Unlike air-source heat pumps, geothermal systems use the ground as a heat sink. That gives them an efficiency advantage over air-source heat pumps, which must deal with fluctuating outdoor temperatures.
How Does Geothermal HVAC Work?
A geothermal HVAC system includes two main components. One is a heat pump unit that is inside your home. The other is a buried ground loop installed horizontally or vertically on your property.
In cooling mode, the heat pump collects heat from inside your home like a conventional AC. However, instead of expelling the heat outside, it transfers it to a working fluid running through its ground loop. That fluid releases its heat into the ground as it circulates before returning indoors to absorb more heat.
In heating mode, a geothermal HVAC system works similarly but in reverse. The working fluid collects heat from the ground while traveling through the ground loop. Then, it transfers that heat to the system’s refrigerant to warm your home.
What Makes Geothermal HVAC So Efficient?
The secret to the efficiency of a geothermal HVAC system is the stable temperatures found a few feet below the ground. A heat pump’s efficiency depends on how easily its refrigerant can collect or release heat. That is a function of the temperature differential between the refrigerant and its working fluid.
At a depth of just a few feet below the ground, the temperature hovers near 55 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. That makes it the perfect place to release heat collected from your much warmer home in the summer. It also makes collecting heat to warm your home extremely efficient.
As a result of using the ground as a heat sink, geothermal systems can be up to 600% efficient. Better still, their efficiency doesn’t fluctuate based on the outdoor temperature. They work as well during a heat wave or deep freeze as at any other time.
Geothermal HVAC is a perfect way to keep your Crawfordville, FL home comfortable. Call Advanced Air Care, Heating & Cooling LLC to ask about our geothermal HVAC installation services today!
Image provided by iStock