GEOTHERMAL
What is it?
The word Geothermal is derived from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme(heat). Hence, energy generated by heat stored beneath the earth's surface. Geothermal systems use the earth's constant temperature to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for homes, commercial buildings, and schools. Best of all, it is a renewable energy source.
How does it work?
Cooling
Heating
During the heating cycle, a Water Furnace geothermal system uses the earth loop to extract heat from the ground. As the system pulls heat from the loop it distributes it through a conventional duct system as warm air. The same heat energy can also be used for a radiant floor system or domestic hot water heating.
In the cooling mode, a Water Furnace geothermal system air conditions your home by reversing the heating process. Instead of extracting heat from the ground, it is extracted from your home and either moved back into the earth loop, or used to preheat the water in your hot water tank. Once the heat is removed from the air, it is distributed through the duct system in your home.
For the Homeowner
Is your existing gas fired furnace getting old? Tired of paying higher utility bills year after year? Now is the time to think about a renewable energy source that lies right beneath your feet. The earth is a natural solar collector, which remains at a constant temperature 365 days a year. By drilling vertical to depths of 150’ to 450’ and installing geothermal loops, you are able to obtain this energy via a water and antifreeze solution. This then flows through the closed loop well field and into your home to the Ground Source Heat Pump. This unit will replace your old inefficient gas fired furnace.
This new heat pump will hook into your existing duct work, while fractional horsepower motors located on the flow center move the fluid through the loops out in the field. The fluid already existing in the field, now warm, is force back into the house through a return line. When the water/antifreeze mix hits the ground source heat pump, energy is extracted and a blower moves nice warm air into your home.
This system can also be used to cool you house as well. Simply switch your thermostat to cool mode and the entire system works in reverse. The warm air in the house is removed through the return duct system; this heat is absorbed into the fluid and sent back to be absorbed by the ground.
A typical flowcenter installed inside a basement. This is used to slowly move the water through the loops outside of your home.