Many homes across Louisville, KY, employ traditional heat pumps and air conditioning systems to keep their spaces comfortable all year long. But with rising costs in the economy and rapidly changing weather conditions due to climate change, it’s becoming increasingly difficult, year after year, for many homeowners to maintain comfort for their families. However, there is one HVAC solution that not many people know about that actually uses renewable energy and consistently maintains heat and cool air inside the home: geothermal heating and cooling. It’s a practice that actually dates back 2.5 million years; however, it’s been expertly modified to provide efficient and comfortable heating and cooling to the modern homes of today.
How Does Geothermal Heating and Cooling Work?
With its term developed from the Greek words geo (“Earth”) and therme (“heat”), geothermal heating and cooling involve harnessing the earth’s natural energy to bring heat into or out of your home.
Instead of using fuel as a way to heat up your home during winter, geothermal heating brings heat from the sun up from the ground. Conversely, when it’s hot and you need to cool your home, geothermal cooling absorbs that heat and moves it underground, where it can be absorbed by the cool earth. Then, the geothermal heat pump uses fluid that was cooled underground to produce cool and comfortable air conditioning for your space. It benefits from the fact that the temperature is a constant 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit deep below the ground’s surface.
Where Are Geothermal Heat Pumps Installed?
Most geothermal units can be found indoors and in inconspicuous areas such as your basement, garage, or storage room. The size of the underground geothermal system, including the loop that carries heat and cool energy, largely depends on the home’s size and configuration, but you should typically expect the trench to be at least four feet deep. The loops can be designed in a number of ways according to maximum efficiency for your home, such as horizontal, vertical, or hybrid loop systems.
Who Uses Geothermal Heating and Cooling?
Geothermal heating and cooling systems may be installed for a number of applications, including both residential and industrial buildings. Some examples of industries that make use of geothermal heating include cement, food, aquaculture, paper, pulp, gold mining, pasteurizing, and more. In the lumber and cement industries, in particular, geothermal heat is used to dry materials before turning them into goods.
Benefits of Geothermal HVAC Systems
Environment-Friendly
In 2020, about 73% of total U.S. human-caused greenhouse gas emissions were due to burning fossil fuels for electricity, transportation, and heat. Using geothermal heating and cooling produces only about a sixth of carbon dioxide compared to traditional forms of heating and cooling. This means that it has way less of an impact on the environment.
Cost-Efficient
While the upfront cost of installing a geothermal heating and cooling system might be higher than a traditional heat pump, the cost savings over time are priceless. Geothermal systems can help homeowners save up to 70% on costs for air conditioning, heating, and hot water, as it uses significantly less electricity than traditional systems.
Long-Lasting
Geothermal systems are similar to traditional heating systems in structure, but they are way more simple than furnaces or air conditioners. They tend to last longer than these traditional units, with fewer moving parts and no outdoor systems that are exposed to debris, weather, rain, and physical damage. The interior geothermal heat pump can last between 20 to 25 years, which is twice as long as a traditional heat pump, while its heating and cooling loop system underground can last for about 50 to 100 years.
Easy to Install
A geothermal heating and cooling system can be installed virtually anywhere, no matter the climate. Whether you’re replacing an old heating system or building a new house that requires heating, installing geothermal heating and cooling only takes a few days, granted that it is installed by qualified professionals that can handle the job perfectly and efficiently.
Comfortable and Quiet
Unlike traditional systems, geothermal heating and cooling systems don’t use a fan, compressor, or outside condenser unit that brings a lot of noise into your home. Furthermore, the comfort provided by geothermal heating and cooling is unparalleled. During the winter, geothermal heating produces consistent heat throughout your home instead of the sudden blasts of hot air from a traditional heat pump. In the summer, cooling is consistent as well, with an added bonus of naturally dehumidified cool air.
Safe
Because geothermal heating systems use renewable, natural energy from the earth and do not use flammable fossil fuels, there is a reduced risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, making them better in terms of safety for your home and family.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Installation in Louisville, KY
Cair Heating & Cooling is proud to offer geothermal heating and cooling system installations in Louisville, KY. Why choose Cair for your geothermal heat pump installation? Here are just some of the reasons:
- Your system will be designed and installed by our own highly qualified and trained professionals who are licensed, bonded, and insured. We don’t employ subcontractors to complete our work for us.
- Before we begin any installation work on your home, you’ll receive an estimate beforehand. We only do fair and accurate pricing, which isn’t based on your home’s characteristics that have nothing to do with your geothermal system.
- Our prices are highly competitive and ensure you the best price, as we only charge you for the necessary materials and labor.
- Your installation plans are personalized and drawn up by certified engineers to ensure the best outcome for your project and maximum comfort for your home.
With over two decades of experience providing comfortable heating and cooling solutions for homes in Louisville, KY, Cair Heating & Cooling is your top choice for your next geothermal system installation. If you’d like to learn more about installing geothermal heating and cooling in your home, contact us today at (502) 708-2247 for a geothermal consultation.
