Common Concerns You Might Have Regarding Geothermal HVAC Systems
There is a great variety of different types of heating systems that homeowners can choose for their homes. Geothermal can be one of the more commonly used due to its energy efficiency, but homeowners can find it difficult to commit to this type of heating system when they are uninformed. Addressing several frequently asked questions about these systems should provide you with a deeper understanding and the ability to better evaluate this heating system option.
How Do Geothermal Heating Systems Help To Keep Your House Warm?
Many homeowners will not consider opting for a geothermal heating system because they wrongly assume a natural hot spring is required for these systems to work. However, a geothermal heating system functions due to the fact that the temperature below ground stays relatively stable throughout the year. This makes it possible for these systems to warm your house during the winter as it is possible to pump warmth from below the ground into your house.
Can A Geothermal System Cool A Home?
During the hot spring and summer months, the temperature below ground is likely to be much cooler. As a result, a geothermal heating system may be reconfigured to actually cool a home. This is done by reversing the system so that it pumps warm out of the house. Not every type of geothermal system is equipped for this task, and if this is a feature that you want, you might need to spend a little extra to buy a unit with this capability.
Why Is An Emergency Heat Source Recommended For Homes With This Type Of Heater?
While geothermal heating systems can be extremely effective at keeping your home warm on most days, these systems can struggle during periods when the temperature is extremely low, such as periods of sub-zero weather. This is due to the fact that the interior of the home may cool faster than the geothermal system can generate heat. As a result, you will likely need to keep a space heater or other secondary source of heat for these periods.
Geothermal heating is becoming an increasingly common option for homeowners that want a system that is as energy efficient as possible. Know the way that these systems can warm a home, the fact that some geothermal systems can be configured to cool your house as well as the reason for keeping a secondary heat source should give you an enhanced ability to decide if this investment will be a wise option for your home's heating needs.
For more information, contact local professionals like Ragan Mechanical Inc.