About Geothermal Systems
Geothermal energy has been used to heat and air condition buildings for several decades, and, during that time, these geothermal systems have been called many different things. Some of the more popular variations include geo-thermal, geoexchange, ground-water, ground-water assisted, ground-water-source, water-to-water, and even our company name, water furnace heating and cooling. All of these terms, though, convey the same thought: use of geothermal heat pump technology to tap the energy in the earth's surface and drive a heating and air conditioning system for both residential and commercial uses. The result is a green or natural heat pump that saves energy and benefits the environment.
How It Works
The temperature below ground (regardless of climate or season) stays fairly consistent 50-60 degrees all year. The ground is able to maintain a higher rate of temperature consistency because it absorbs 47% of the suns energy (heat) as it hits the Earth's surface. Geothermal systems are able to tap into this free energy with an earth loop. This technology is then used to provide your home or office with central heating and cooling. My house is employing a vertical loop system - three - 300’ wells.
Heating
During the heating cycle, a 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.
Cooling
In the cooling mode, a 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 it can be used 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.
Environmental Benefits
The Water Furnace Envision unit utilizes the ozone-safe R-410A refrigerant to meet the most stringent EPA requirements now and for many years to come. The system emits no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or other greenhouse gasses which are considered to be major contributors to environmental air pollution. A WaterFurnace geothermal system can deliver an astounding five units of energy for every one unit of electrical energy used. By combining stored earth energy with safe electric power, many WaterFurnace owners realize savings up to 70% for heating, cooling and hot water.
HCM Geothermal Green Sheet
Below is the first page of a fact sheet on Geothermal produced by our office, Hord, Coplan Macht. HCM has produced a number of these fact sheets, called Green Sheets, on various aspects of sustainability - Daylighting, Energy Star Appliance and Low emitting Products, to name a few. For a hard copy of this or other Green Sheets contact me at the office - (410) 837-7311.
