How Does Geothermal Heating Work? What are it’s Benefits?

Geothermal heating is an energy efficient heating method that uses the heat retained within the earth in order to warm the home.

Geothermal is an effective heating method because the temperature of the ground is warmer than the air in the winter. A geothermal heating unit includes a series of pipes that are inserted into the ground in order to transfer heat it stores to and from your home.

The pipes, which are often termed “ground loop,” move around water that sucks up the heat from the ground and brings it back to the heat pump inside the home. Once inside the heat pump, the heat is extracted from the water and dispersed throughout the home.

Geothermal heating is very efficient, and it provides many cost-saving and environmental benefits to the user. Here are just a few of its benefits:

1. Low operating costs

One of the benefits to having a geothermal heating system is that the cost to operate it is fairly low. A gas furnace has an efficiency rating of 94 percent, while a Geothermal heating system has an efficiency rating of nearly 400 percent.

Since geothermal heating systems are simply transferring heat rather than creating it, when using a Geothermal system, the heating bill can be reduced by nearly 70 percent.

2. Environmentally friendly

Another benefit of using a geothermal heating system is that it is considered the most environmentally friendly way to heat a home. Geothermal systems do not emit harmful gasses like carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. Also, by using less electricity, geothermal systems help reduce the number of electric generating plants in the world.

3. Long-lasting

While a furnace typically lasts around 7-10 years, geothermal systems usually last for 15 years or more. Not to mention the ground pipes usually have a warranty of up to 50 years.

4. Provide users with clean and safe air

Perhaps the most important benefit to owning a geothermal heating system is the peace of mind it provides the user. Geothermal systems will never emit carbon monoxide, a dangerous and life-threatening gas some other heating methods can emit. Also, with the use of high efficiency air cleaners and geothermal together, the overall quality of the air in the home can drastically improve.

Geothermal heating is certainly not brand new technology, in fact, the practice of using geothermal energy for heat has been used since the Paleolithic Era. However, geothermal heating systems continue to advance, and geothermal heating is now likely the most efficient way to warm the home.

If you haven’t had your Anoka, MN heating system checked out, call Superior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electric at 763-422-1721!