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GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
COMFORT WITH THE FUTURE IN MIND
Geothermal heating, cooling,
and water heating is today's #1 idea for homes
and businesses. Today's systems are the result of decades of worldwide research and development dating back to the
early 1900's. Recent developments in technology and in-ground materials, combined with advanced research by Oklahoma
State University, the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association, the Electric Power Research Institute, National Rural
Electric Cooperatives Association and individual state and utility research groups, have led to an unprecedented acceptance
and satisfaction rating by owners.
Today, geothermal
heating and cooling systems account for a higher percentage of installations than ever. But even more important are
the owner satisfaction ratings, energy efficiency ratings and cost savings being reported.
Geothermal utilizes
technology that simply transfers heat and distributes it through the building's duct system. Refrigerators, air
conditioners, and freezers are all forms of this technology. These familiar devices "create" cool air by removing
heat from interior spaces and moving it to another place.
The ability to move heat is the key to geothermal's
incredible efficiency. In fact, the most efficient gas and oil furnaces use three times as much energy to create heat
as geothermal uses to move the same amount of heat. In the summer, the system reverses its heat-moving process to cool
homes and businesses.
HOW GEOTHERMAL WORKS:
Geothermal heating, cooling, and water heating
is a year-round system that transfers heat to or from the ground or water to provide interior comfort. This is
accomplished by either an open-loop or closed-loop geothermal system. In the summer it functions as an air conditioner,
and in the winter it provides carefree heating comfort.
An
open-loop system is created when a conventional
well is used as the heat source. Well water is pumped into the heat pump heat exchanger, heat is extracted and delivered
into the home or business, and the water is then deposited back into a stream, river, lake, pond, ditch or a second well.
If a second well is used, this is known as a return well, and it returns the water directly to the ground aquifer.
A closed-loop system circulates
a solution through buried plastic pipe arranged either horizontally or vertically.
Although conditions can
vary, a horizontal, closed-loop system is typically installed in a trench approximately five feet deep.
Several factors affect trench design. One, two, four, or six pipes can be laid in a single trench. When more than
one pipe is laid in a trench, separation between pipes is maintained by covering each pipe with soil. The length of
the trench depends upon the number of pipes buried. The amount of pipe needed depends on a number of factors but generally
500-600 feet of pipe are required per ton of geothermal capacity. Therefore, a three-ton geothermal system would require
1,500-1,800 feet of pipe. Vertical-loop
systems are installed by boring homes 125-150 feet deep per ton of geothermal capacity. Loops are then added
by inserting U-shaped sections of pipe. Vertical loops are used where the available land is limited due to lot
size, pavement, or existing landscaping. Another
type of closed-loop system is the pond loop. When a body of water is adjacent to the home or business,
a coil of copper or plastic pipe may be secured in the water to provide a medium for absorbing or discharging heat.
A minimum of six feet in depth is required for a pond loop to be considered.
Geothermal
systems provide a uniform flow of air at comfortable temperatures. And the operation of a geothermal system is no more
complex than other major appliances. There is no open flame, no flammable fuel, nor an unsightly and potentially dangerous
on-site fuel storage tank.
The financial savings from installing a geothermal system begin the
moment you begin enjoying its energy-efficient heating, cooling, and water heating. A geothermal system can save you
up to 60% on heating and air conditioning costs. But the long-range benefits are also important. Not only will
you continue to enjoy substantial energy-related savings, you'll also appreciate the low maintenance and long equipment
life. The bottom line - with a geothermal system, you'll enjoy both long-term and short-term savings. - High efficiency-Geothermal technology extracts
heat from the earth and uses electricity to move it where needed. This supplies three units of geothermal energy as
heat for each unit of electrical energy it consumes. This efficiency comes back to you in dollars saved.
- Long compressor life-There is no outdoor unit. Therefore, the compressor
is not exposed to temperature extremes and severe weather conditions. Experience has proven this will significantly
extend compressor life.
- Low maintenance-Routine maintenance
requires only periodic cleaning or changing of the filters.
- Cleanliness-Fossil
fuels are not burned to produce heat. No by-products of the combustion process are introduced into your home, thereby
reducing your cleaning costs.
Comfort Xpress has been installing geothermal units
for over 15 years with customers experiencing up to 60% savings in electric bills. For example, a family living in a
4,000 square foot home with $350 budgeted for their monthly electric bill could easily have an actual bill of $125 a month.
Many geothermal systems can provide you with an abundant supply of hot water. These systems use waste heat to pre-heat
water in your water heater tank, giving you virtually free hot water. Geothermal units are also environmentally friendly
by reducing the amount of energy consumed. These systems keep indoor air cleaner and free of pollen and other allergens.
In summary, geothermal systems provide comfort with the future in mind.
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