How Geothermal Works
As the seasons change from spring to winter, temperatures fluctuate throughout the year. Some climates can range from blazing summers to chilly winters; Van Buren included. Did you know there is a pretty consistent temperature, regardless of climate or season, just below the ground?
The Earth's crust absorbs 47% of the sun's heat (energy) and is maintained in the ground a few feet below the surface. WaterFurnace geothermal systems draw from this free heat source with an earth loop. This ingenious technology salvages the sun's heat supplying your home or office with central heating and cooling.
Two Pieces to the Geothermal System
Winter Operation:
Winter Operation:
Winter Operation:
The underground pipes, called a ground loop, circulate water which absorbs the heat from the earth and returns it to the indoor heat pump. The heat pump extracts the heat from the liquid then distributes it throughout your home as warm air. With the heat removed, the water is re-circulated to collect more heat from the ground. In this case, the loop water is warmer when it comes into the home than when it goes back into the earth since the heat is being removed.
Summer Operation
Winter Operation:
Winter Operation:
The indoor heat pump takes the hot air from your home and removes the heat. This leaves behind cool air to be distributed through your vents as air-conditioning. The removed heat from the air is rejected into the earth through the ground loop. In this case, the water is warmer leaving the home then when it returns since heat is rejected into it. This is not a new technology, this is not a science experiment, this is not rocket science. In fact, in many European nations geothermal heating and cooling is the standard. In Sweden and Switzerland, more than 75% of new homes have geothermal. The EPA has acknowledged geothermal systems as the most energy efficient, environmentally clean, & cost-effective space conditioning systems available.
Geothermal Heating
Using the earth loop, a WaterFurnace geothermal heat pump extracts the heat from the ground in the heating cycle. The geothermal system sucks the heat from the loops and passes this warmed air through a traditional duct system.
Additional available options include using that same heat to provide hot water and radiant floor heating.
Geothermal Cooling
During the cooling mode, cool, conditioned air is distributed throughout the house by doing the exact opposite as the heating process. Heat is not extracted, instead it is pushed into the ground. The warm heat is pulled from your home and transferred back into the earth loop. Your hot water heating can be fueled by this process as well.
- GeoLink Design Studio based on 2500sq ft. home in the Midwest. Electricity: $0.12/kWh, Natural Gas: $1.50/ccf, Annual inflation: 2.18%
- 2009 Jana Laboratories study
- ASHRAE
- US Department of Energy
Getting Started
Is your classic furnace or heat pump about to croak? Or do you just want to get rid of your inefficient equipment before it costs you an arm and a leg? WaterFurnace geothermal products provide a smart alternative for the replacement of older or inefficient equipment in the Van Buren, Arkansas area. Most units are simple to install and can be installed in areas unsuitable for fossil fuel furnaces. There is no combustion or need to vent exhaust gasses which means our equipment can be installed virtually anywhere.
If you have ductwork already installed in your home, you are starting the race ahead of the pack. If not, we can simply install ductwork so you can appreciate the comfort of geothermal to its full extent. Another heating method to consider is radiant in-floor heating. Picture walking on warm floors all winter long... We offer a unit that is capable of in-floor heating in association with forced air to provide you with the most comfortable heating possible - all while being a steward of the environment and saving money