As people become increasingly environmentally conscious, green energy is rising in popularity. A residential HVAC system is a key way to reduce one’s carbon footprint, so more homeowners are choosing geothermal heating and air conditioning systems. This single-unit home comfort method isn’t as well-known as the more traditional central air option, but there are numerous benefits to installing a geothermal heat pump. 

How Geothermal Heating & Air Conditioning Systems Work

The earth’s core creates a natural source of heat that remains consistent regardless of weather conditions. Geothermal systems use this to create the heating and cooling inside your home. HVAC contractors install a ground-loop system that contains a water solution, a heat pump, and the ductwork inside your home.

When the heating mode is activated, the water solution flows through the pipes and is heated by the earth’s warmth. This warmed water enters the heat pump, which concentrates that thermal energy and pushes warm air through the ducts before sending the cooled water back underground.

When using the air conditioning, this process is reversed. Rather than pumping heated water into the unit, the water solution absorbs the heat throughout the home and then transfers that heat outside the home, which brings indoor temperatures down.

Deciding if Geothermal Is Right for You

There are numerous reasons why homeowners are choosing to install this option. It’s environmentally friendly because it uses renewable energy to power the system. This also makes it incredibly efficient, which saves you money on utility bills. Unlike other green options like solar or wind energy, geothermal installations aren’t dependent on the weather, so you know you’ll always have the energy your system needs. With the mild winters of the South, a heat pump’s reliance on the earth’s natural heat is even more ideal. 

However, there are some downsides as well. The most prohibitive is the higher upfront cost of installing the system’s underground components, though energy efficiency will more than make up the difference over the life of the system.

It’s also an initial challenge to install the unit in an existing home because the digging needed to get the pipes underground will require some cosmetic work to your landscaping. Finally, though geothermal heat pumps generally require less maintenance than traditional systems, repairs are more costly when these rarer issues are with any of the components below the ground.

 

If you’re considering geothermal heating and air conditioning for your home, contact the experts at Smith Air Conditioning in Ville Platte, LA. For more than 50 years, this family-owned HVAC company has helped local homeowners with all their home comfort needs. Whether you need simple repairs or are looking to upgrade to a new system, their team of contractors has the tools and experience needed to keep you comfortable all year long. Call (337) 363-1866 to request a free estimate or visit them online to learn more about their services.