How Do Geothermal Systems Work?

How Do Geothermal Heating Systems Work?

Geothermal heating systems work in a very unique way to naturally provide a heat source to a building or other environment. The Earth stores heat within it. In fact, it maintains a heat source of about fifty to seventy degrees Fahrenheit. This is a maintained number meaning it is completely renewable when it is tapped into it. And, it is natural meaning there are not chemicals or side effects from using this type of heating source. Yet, it is powerful enough to heat an entire building without furnaces or boilers.

In order to use the geothermal heat that is underground, scientists have found that they can literally pump it out with the use of a geothermal heating system using a heat pump. It is a device mechanical in nature that transfers the heat from one place to the next. In this case it is as simple as pulling up the heat from the Earth's soil and then transferring it right into homes and other buildings.

They will use a network of tubes throughout the building to the heat source. These are called closed loops. They are filled with a liquid such as refrigerant, water or even anti freeze. The liquid that is within these tubes will travel into the ground, absorb the Earth's natural heat source and then it is re-circulated through the system back into the home or building. The heat is then released from the liquid element and it is transferred into the home. In this continuous circuit, the liquid element then travels back down to the Earth's heat source and the process just keeps repeating. The loop system allows for geothermal heating systems to provide a constant flow of heat to the building.

Heat That Cools

Not only can geothermal heating systems provide heat to a building, but it can actually cool it as well. The system is quite the same in that the same loop is used. This time, though, it is in reverse. The valves within the system allow you to switch it to cool instead of to heat. Now, the heat that is within the building is absorbed through those very same liquid elements and cycled out of the building. During the summer months, this allows for another energy benefit too. Because the Earth doesn't need to be heated, and there is still a large amount of heat in the liquid, you can tap into this energy and have it heat the water for the building. This will eliminate the need that you have for a hot water tank or heater during this time.

Geothermal Heating Systems: Their Value To You

In order for anyone to really take advantage of a different type of product, there tends to need to be something in it for them. In this case, switching to a geothermal heating system is the ideal way to cut back on energy costs. In fact, you can do this to the level of up to 70% less electricity than other, electric heating and cooling systems. They are thought to produce more heat with a lower amount of energy need than electric heaters can.

Of course, not only are these systems useful for reducing the cost of the energy bill, but they are a clean, natural and renewable energy source which makes them good for everyone and the Earth. The use of geothermal heating systems is one that is expected to grow and, since it has been proven to work well in some of the harshest of Canadian climates, it is well known to work well.