Geothermal Heat Pumps – Westchester County
Why are more and more homeowners in Westchester County turning to geothermal heating and cooling systems? Switching to geothermal offers many benefits, including higher comfort levels and lower utility bills.
At A. Borrelli, we work with you to come up with a system that makes sense for your budget and needs. Call us today to learn more about whether a geothermal heat pump is right for you.
What are Geothermal Heat Pumps and how do they work?
Even though the temperature in the air changes frequently, the temperature underground remains relatively constant. This ground temperature is warmer than the air above it during the winter and cooler than the air in the summer. Geothermal heat pumps use that to their advantage. They pump underground heat into buildings, heating your home with a fraction of the energy needed by an air-based system. During the summer, the heat pumps can reverse that process and pump the heat from your home back into the ground, cooling your building.
As the sun heats the earth, geothermal heat pumps push this heat to water and antifreeze mixture-filled underground pipes. This heated water is pushed though the heat pump, which transfers it to the air using a conventional ductwork system. In the summertime, this process is reversed and excess heat is pumped from the home into the ground or redirected to heat hot water in order to cool the home.
Types of Geothermal Heat Pumps
There are four main types of ground loop systems. Horizontal, vertical, and pond/lake are closed-loop systems. The fourth option is an open-loop option. Choosing the right system depends on your property, soil quality, available land and climate.
Horizontal Closed-Loop System
This is generally the most cost effective for residential installations. Installers dig trenches that are at least four feet deep, then bury two pipes in the ground lengthwise.
Vertical Closed-Loop Systems
Large commercial buildings and schools often use vertical systems because these systems require the least amount of land and only have minimal effects on landscaping.
Installation usually involves drilled two holes roughly 20 feet apart and up to 400 feet deep. The pipes installed in these holes join together at the bottom and top with a U-bend, then connect to the home’s heat pump with a pipe.
Pond Loop Systems
These systems don’t involve much digging or drilling. If you home or building is near an adequate water body, this may be the lowest cost option.A supply line pipe is run underground from the building to the water supply and coiled into circles at least eight feet under the surface to prevent freezing.
Open-Loop System
In an open loop system, water is taken directly from a source (pond or lake) and into the heat pump. It is then recycled back into the ground. This option is only available if there is an adequate supply of relatively clean water.
Benefits of Geothermal Heat Pumps
- Geothermal Heat Pumps generate hot water while they heat or cool your home. In the summer, your home can have hot water for almost no cost. In the winter, geothermal HVAC systems can slash hot water energy bills by up to 50%.
- The initial installation cost for a geothermal system may seem expensive. However, over time, a geothermal system can produce significant savings. According to the EPA, geothermal heating and cooling systems are the most eco-friendly alternatives to traditional HVAC systems.They can save homeowners 30-70 percent in heating costs, and 20-50 percent in cooling costs, compared to conventional systems.Geothermal heat pumps can be over twice as efficient as air-source heat pumps during cold weather.
- You can also receive a 30% federal tax credit, with no cap, for any geothermal installation. This tax credit significantly reduces the installation cost. In addition to federal tax credits, many local governments and utility companies are offering rebates and tax incentives that will only add to your savings.
Investing in a renewable like a geothermal system from A. Borrelli has many benefits. Call us today to learn more about whether a geothermal heat pump is right for you.
