Geothermal
Over the years, heating and air conditioning technology has advanced considerably, providing new ways to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and cut our energy bills. One of the most popular forms of heating and AC to hit the market in recent decades is geothermal. Geothermal systems use a combination of new and old technology to provide steady, reliable heat that requires limited outside energy to operate.
Call the Boise area geothermal experts at Wickstrom Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today to learn more about this highly efficient technology and to discuss how you may be able to take advantage of it in your home. Our geothermal technicians take pride in helping homeowners replace their old home comfort systems, with these highly efficient systems that will work for decades with minimal service, while at the same time slashing monthly energy bills.
Geothermal Heating
Underground temperatures just a few feet below the surface are significantly warmer than the air above, even during the coldest months of winter. Geothermal systems simply use a series of pipes to circulate water underground to capture that heat energy and bring it back up in to your home.
There are two common pipe configurations. Horizontal loop installation places pipes about four or five feet beneath the surface and circulates water through them. This is good if you live somewhere with more moderate year–round temperatures. However, if it freezes in the winter, you will likely need to have a backup source like a furnace to provide supplemental heat.
A vertical installation is slightly different. Pipes go deep into the ground to a depth that ensures consistent energy availability throughout the year, regardless of climate. It costs more due to the drilling, but for those seeking to minimize their dependence on gas or electricity, it is a good option.
Regardless of the type of loop system, the water is then circulated through these pipes to gather the energy stored in the ground. The water then goes to a heat pump in or near your home, which extracts the energy from the water and transfers it to the air supply which is circulated throughout your house. The only outside energy used is the electricity to operate your heat pump and air handler.
Geothermal Cooling
One of the greatest benefits of geothermal heating is that it works equally well in the summer to cool your home. Because a heat pump is involved, the process can be reversed and the heat inside your home can be extracted from the air and circulated beneath the ground. That transfer works anytime of the year allowing you to severely cut back on your home comfort energy spending during both winter and summer.
Geothermal Contractors
Before you decide to have a geothermal heating and cooling system installed, consider the cost of the installation and the current layout of your home heating system. If you don’t already have vents and ductwork installed for a forced air system, you will need to have them installed. Additionally, if you plan on using a horizontal loop, you should have a backup furnace in place to provide heat on the coldest days of winter.
There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to geothermal systems, so when you call Wickstrom Services, our technicians will explain your options and how you might benefit from one of these systems, with a clear breakdown of the cost and the amount you will save over time. Our geothermal technicians specialize in custom solutions that lower the home heating and cooling costs of our customers in the Boise and Nampa metropolitan area.
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