The How and Why of Geothermal HVAC in Hillsborough, NC

Do you want to increase the efficiency of your HVAC system and lessen your impact on the environment? You can do this while maintaining the comfort of your with a geothermal HVAC system. Some experts predict that by the year 2050, nearly 20% of the Earth’s energy will come from a geothermal source. Therefore, it’s conceivable that a geothermal HVAC system is a preview of the future. Read on to learn how geothermal HVAC systems work and why it’s a good idea to consider installing one in your Hillsborough, NC, home.

What’s a Geothermal HVAC System?

In essence, a geothermal HVAC system uses the natural temperature of the Earth around and under your home to produce desirable temperatures inside. Even in the most extreme climates in the world, the underground temperatures remain relatively constant. Some large-scale industrial and agricultural establishments already rely on geothermal electricity, and the same concept used there can now provide heating and cooling to your home.

How Does a Geothermal HVAC System Work?

The basic principle of a geothermal HVAC system is found in the Second Law of Thermodynamics. This principle explains that heat will naturally travel from a hot or warm location to a cooler one. To capitalize on this principle, a series of pipes are laid underground around your home and filled with some sort of refrigerant or water.

An electric pump will then cycle the fluid through the pipe system, transferring the ambient air inside your home to the ground and vice versa. During the summer, the temperature underground cools the liquid in the pipes. While in the cold of winter, the underground elements warm the liquid. Here are reasons to consider a geothermal HVAC system:

Lower Costs

Moving existing air from one point to another requires less energy than capturing air, changing its temperature and releasing it into your home. Therefore, a geothermal HVAC system uses less energy than a traditional HVAC system. Less energy used means that your utility bills become cheaper. As a result, you keep more money in your pocket every month.

More Environmentally Friendly

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has recognized geothermal HVAC units as the most environmentally friendly way that you can heat and cool your property. Not only are fossil fuels not necessary for an HVAC system to work properly. But the lower amount of electricity used greatly decreases the carbon footprint that you leave while keeping your home comfortable.

Consistent Temperatures

The air temperature outside is constantly fluctuating. Over the course of a single day, temperatures can vary wildly. That puts an increased strain on your traditional HVAC system. When you have to constantly increase and decrease your thermostat, you’re making your system work harder.

Since a geothermal system relies on the temperature of the ground, which is much more stable, the temperatures provided to your home are also more consistent. This leads to a more evenly heated and cooled home.

Longer Life Span

While having proper maintenance performed on your traditional HVAC system can greatly increase its life expectancy, there are still a lot of moving parts that can fail, causing you to need a new system. Since the biggest part of your new geothermal system is a series of pipes, there aren’t many mechanical issues that can arise. This leads to your system lasting longer and costing you less in repairs.

We realize that being able to find comfortable temperatures in your home is incredibly important, especially with ever-changing weather patterns in North Carolina. Warren-Hay Mechanical can help you strike the balance between being comfortable regardless of the temperatures outside and having a modern, affordable heating and cooling system.

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