It is an irrevocable fact that energy prices have skyrocketed more and more in recent years. Geothermal options are now being considered as the best way to reduce your energy costs. Using a geothermal heat exchanger is one method that consumers are choosing to employ to conserve energy while cooling or heating their home. When considering starting construction on a new home or simply replacing your existing heating and cooling systems, it is advisable to keep in mind the obvious advantages that the use of geothermal offers.

Checking the geographic options

At first glance, geothermal cooling and geothermal heating may seem more like science fiction than a viable source of heating and cooling. Not so. Rapidly advancing technology catapulted geothermal heating and cooling into a proven method of environmental control. Its acceptance has enjoyed steady growth and is rapidly gaining popularity among consumers who want to install systems that are more cost effective. In addition to the heating and cooling properties that it can give your room at night when the room temperature tends to drop, there are geothermal systems, which can even provide a hot water system to a house.

This economically smart move can save up to 60 percent on annual energy bills. The federal government and several US states are offering tax credits and incentives to those who install a geothermal HVAC system. These incentive programs are also finding their way in other countries outside of the US, such as Canada. Consumers should check the website of the state government or electric utility companies in their area to find out about possible incentive programs that are offered.

Pump it up with geothermal HVAC media

Pump exchangers, as well as heat exchangers, are technologies that are currently used in the geothermal HVAC system. Homeowners who are going to install a geothermal system on their land must drill a well so that the water provided by the well is pumped through a heat exchanger located inside the house. This allows the house to be heated by the fraction of the latent heat derived from the water that the well produces. During the summer, the temperature of the well water is usually considerably lower compared to the outside air temperature. This, in turn, will cool the indoor air, thus providing conditioned air to cool the house. With this system supplementary heating such as gas, fuel oil or electricity is recommended, especially in regions where the temperature falls below 0 degrees.

The pump, as well as the circulation fans that draw water from the well, are powered by electricity. This, in effect, means free heat for the homeowner due to the fact that there is no gas or fuel consumption of any kind to keep things running with the geothermal HVAC system.

Energy Star offers an informative website where consumers can learn more about ground source heat pumps, their feasibility for their system and specific needs, and a guide for qualified contractors.