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Geothermal Frequently Asked Questions
 

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  How efficient is a geothermal system?

Geothermal is more than five times efficient in heating and more than two times efficient in cooling than the more efficient average system. Geothermal systems move existing heat rather than creating it through combustion, providing four to five units of energy for every one unit used to power the system.

  How many pieces of equipment make up a geothermal system?

The three main parts of a geothermal system include the heat-pump unit, liquid heat-exchange medium (open or closed loop), and the air-delivery system (ductwork).

  What is the geothermal efficiency rating?

Geothermal heat pumps rate heating efficiencies according to their coefficient of performance or COP. It’s a scientific way of determining how much energy the system produces versus how much it uses. Most geothermal heat pump systems have COPs of 3-4.5. The WaterFurnace Envision holds the highest recorded certified performance of 5.4 COP in an open loop. That means for every dollar of energy used to power the system, $5.40 of energy is supplied as heat. Where a fossil fuel furnace may be 78-98% efficient, a geothermal heat pump is about 500% efficient.

For cooling, geothermal units are rated by Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). EER is a measure of efficiency in the cooling mode when measured at a constant temperature (95 degrees F). The higher the EER, the more efficient the unit. The WaterFurnace Envision holds the highest recorded certified performance of 30EER for closed loop and 32.1EER for open loop.

  How does a geothermal system differ from an ordinary system?

Geothermal systems do not burn fossil fuel to generate heat; they simply transfer heat to and from the earth to provide a more efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly method of heating and cooling. Typically, electric power is used only to operate the unit's fan, compressor and pump.  

  How much maintenance does a geothermal system require?

Geothermal systems require very little maintenance. The buried loop will last for generations. The unit’s fan, compressor and pump are indoors, protected from the weather and contamination. Periodic checks and filter changes are the only required maintenance. Systems are typically installed in the basement or garage. Another option is to install the cube unit in tighter spaces, such as the crawl space.

  How is geothermal environmentally-friendly?

Geothermal systems work with nature, not against it. They dont' emit greenhouse gases which have been linked to pollution, acid rain, and other environmental hazards. WaterFurnace’s earth-loop antifreeze will not harm the environment in the unlikely event of a leak. And all of the current WaterFurnace product lines use R-410A, a performance-enhancing refrigerant that will not harm the earth’s ozone layer.

  Are WaterFurnace heat pumps all the same?

There are different kinds of geothermal heat pumps designed for specific applications. Many geothermal heat pumps are intended for use only with higher temperature ground water encountered in open-loop systems. Others will operate at entering water temperatures as low as 25°F, which are possible in closed-loop systems. Most geothermal heat pumps provide summer air conditioning, but a few brands are designed only for winter heating.

The design of the geothermal heat pumps is another way they differ. Self-contained units combine the blower, compressor, heat exchanger and coil in a single cabinet. Split systems (such as the WaterFurnace Envision Series Split) allow the coil to be added to a forced-air furnace and utilize the existing blower.

  How does a geothermal system heat and cool?

The main thing that makes a geothermal heat pump so versatile is that it's a heating and cooling system all in one. With a flip of a switch on your indoor thermostat, you can change from one mode to another. In the cooling mode, the geothermal heat pump takes heat from indoors and transfers it to the cooler earth through either groundwater or an underground earth loop system. In the heating mode, the process is reversed.

  Are separate earth loops required for heating and cooling?

No, since the same loop works for both. Whether heating or cooling, the flow of heat is simply reversed.

  What is an open loop system?

An open loop system uses groundwater from an ordinary well as a heat source. The groundwater is pumped into the heat pump unit where heat is extracted and the water is disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. Because groundwater is a relatively constant temperature year-round, wells are an excellent heat source.

  What is a closed loop system?

A closed loop system uses a continuous loop of buried polyethylene pipe. Most closed loops are trenched horizontally in areas adjacent to the building. However, where adequate land is not available, loops are vertically bored. Any area near a home or business with appropriate soil conditions and adequate square footage will work.

The pipe is connected to the indoor heat pump to form a sealed underground loop through which an environmentally friendly antifreeze-and-water solution is circulated. A closed loop system constantly recirculates its heat-transferring solution in pressurized pipe, unlike an open loop system that consumes water from a well.

  

 

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