How Does Geothermal Heating Work?

Ever asked yourself "How does geothermal heating work?" Here is a short article which gives an outline answer - with no technical terms to confuse us!

Article thanks to WallDecorandHomeAccents.com

Thermal heat is a unique and fairly expensive alternative to traditional heating systems. It uses the energy and heat from the earth itself to heat and cool the home. Understanding how the system works can be a bit challenging, but for a homeowner considering such an investment it is important to understand the ins and outs of thermal heating and how it heats a home.

Geothermal heating in use in Iceland - picture thanks to David.nikonvscanon on Flickr You can just see the heating plant behind the steam from the heated pool.

Geothermal heat is collected underground.

Tubes, called loops, are filled with fluid that circulates the earth's heat up and around into the house. Once inside the house there is a machine called a compressor.

The compressor and a heat exchanger compress the heat from the ground to make it hotter. That heat is then released through the house through ductwork. At this point it is at a much higher temperature than what it was as it came through the loops.

The hot air circulates through the house and warms up the rooms.

Even in frigidly cold temperatures, the Earth's temperature is warmer than the air temperature and heat can still be extracted from the loops. Most geothermal heating systems also have a water heater to help out on very cold days or on days when the compressor is not running.

How does geothermal heating work:

Geothermal power can also deliver cooling

Installing a geothermal heating system is a very expensive endeavor. Although most homeowners can recoup the savings in electricity over five to ten years, the initial investment with drilling can be up to $40,000. Special drilling is needed to place the coils deep in the ground for optimal results. The compressor and heat exchanger are also more expensive than traditional furnaces. Relatively little maintenance is required on the geothermal heating system and most are guaranteed to run efficiently for 25-50 years.

There are different types of loops used in different geothermal heating systems. Some loops, Horizontal Ground Closed Loops, run close to the surface, about six feet below the surface. They are, obviously, less expensive to install than Vertical Ground Closed Loops that need to be buried to depths of about 300 feet. For homes that sit close to shallow ponds or lakes, a Pond Closed Loop may be ideal. This closed loop system sits underwater and draws heat from the bottom of the pond without disturbing the natural aquatic life.

How does geothermal heating work:

Geothermal heating is not a DIY option!

Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, is an interior designer who illustrates how simple it can be to use tropical fish wall decor and nautical wall plaques.

This article shows that installing a geothermal heating unit is not really a DIY option. So neither is it an easy home improvement project - except in so far as you give the responsibility to well-qualified professionals. Nevertheless, if you are starting a new build it is a worth a serious look. The long-term savings can be considerable and a well-constructed system should give years of service.

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