Geothermal heat pumps are some of the most efficient heating and cooling systems available. Relying on the constant year-round temperature of the earth, the systems warm homes in the winter and cool them back down in the summer using very little energy of their own. Here’s a quick guide to the relative heating and cooling efficiency of geothermal systems.
How Do Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Work?
Although Virginia experiences stifling summers and often bone-chilling winters, the ground just a few feet beneath your feet remains at a near-constant temperature year-round. Geothermal heat pump systems rely on this constant temperature to exchange heat with the earth through a heat pump exchanger. While a variety of geothermal heat pumps are available—including closed-loop, open loop, and hybrid systems—this basic concept is consistent among all system types.
How Do You Measure the Efficiency of Geothermal Systems?
The efficiency of heating and cooling systems is based upon coefficient of performance, or COP. That’s a scientific term for how much energy you get out of a system versus how much you put in. Most geothermal systems have COP’s of 3 to 4.5, meaning that for every unit of energy used, 3 to 4.5 units are produced.
How Do Geothermal Systems Compare to Other Systems?
When it comes to energy efficiency, standard central air furnaces and air conditioners pale in comparison to geothermal systems. While most furnaces are around 80 to 90 percent energy efficient, geothermal systems actually produce more energy than they take in, with efficiencies of 400 percent or more. So why doesn’t everybody have a geothermal system? Their main disadvantage is their rather hefty price tag. Most homeowners will see a return on their investment within 5 to 10 years, however.
Geothermal heat pump systems are a good option for homeowners seeking energy savings over the long term. At McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning Services, we install geothermal systems for homeowners throughout the Washington DC area. For an at-home consultation, call our Warrenton office at (888) 905-5715.
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