Geothermal Energy Systems
The basic concepts of geothermal heating and cooling revolve around the fact that the earth stores heat efficiently. With a geothermal energy system, you can tap into this stored energy for an efficient way to heat and cool your home all year round.
At Air Rock Drilling Company, we specialize in 2 different forms of geothermal systems: Closed Loop and Open Loop.
Closed Loop
A closed loop system is effectively made up of a collection of u-shaped pipes which have been placed within boreholes below the ground’s surface. These pipes contain a specially-developed solution which allows for the effective transfer of energy.
During the winter months, the solution passes through the pipes and extracts stored warmth from the earth. This warmth then travels to a heat pump within your home, and the heat pump concentrates it to the proper temperature needed to heat the air that will then flow through your ventilation system.
When the weather turns warm again, the heat is actually taken from your home and then is dispersed back into the ground through the closed loop system, allowing for comfortable cooling.
Open Loop
Compared with closed loop systems, open loop are typically less expensive. These systems are comprised of 2 wells. One well is used to extract heat from the earth in the winter, sending it to the home’s heat pump, and the other well is for the water that has been returned after energy extraction. The process is reversed in the summer, just like with the closed loop system.
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs)
GSHPs are developed to be used within a geothermal energy system. They are able to utilize the energy extracted from the earth in both the closed loop and open loop systems. With heating efficiencies up to 70% higher and cooling efficiencies up to 40% higher, these geothermal systems can save you money over traditional heating and cooling methods.
If you would like to learn more about geothermal heating and cooling take a look at the Energy 1 website.