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Geothermal Systems
What is Geothermal and Why Airflow and WaterFurnace?
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are energy efficient systems designed to tap the stored energy beneath the earth’s surface. Throughout the year, outdoor temperatures fluctuate with the changing seasons. However, underground temperatures do not. In fact, about four to six feet below the earth’s surface, temperatures remain relatively constant year round. A geothermal system, which consists of an indoor unit and a buried earth loop, taps into these constant temperatures. Compared to ordinary systems, geothermal technology can save you 30% to 60% on your monthly energy bills. Geothermal is the safest, cleanest, most reliable space conditioning system you can buy.
Airflow Systems is a recognized leader in geothermal technology and has pioneered the installation of hundreds of geothermal systems throughout Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Airflow Systems offers complete in-house loop design and installation.
WaterFurnace geothermal units use the clean, renewable energy found in your own backyard to save up to 70% on heating, cooling and hot water. And they also happen to be great for the environment.
How Geothermal Works
In the winter, fluid circulating through the system’s earth loop absorbs stored heat and carries it to your home. The indoor unit compresses the heat to a higher temperature and distributes it throughout the home. In the summer, the system reverses, pulling heat from the home, carrying it through the earth loop and depositing in the cooler earth.
Four Basic Types of Geothermal Energy Sources
Closed loop systems circulate a water-based solution through a “loop” of small diameter, underground pipes. In cold weather this solution absorbs heat from the earth and carries it to the geothermal unit. The geothermal system amplifies the heat and delivers it throughout your home. In warm weather the process is reversed; excess heat is carried from your home and into the earth. You keep refreshingly cool during the hottest summer. There are four types of loops: horizontal, vertical, pond and open.
Horizontal loops are often considered when adequate land surface is available. Pipes are placed in trenches, in lengths that range from 100 to 400 feet.
Vertical loops are the ideal choice when available land surface is limited. Drilling equipment is used to bore small-diameter holes from 75 to 300 feet deep.
Pond (lake) loops are very economical to install when a body of water is available because excavation costs are virtually eliminated. Coils of pipe are simply placed on the bottom of the pond or lake.
Open loop systems utilize ground water as a direct energy source. In ideal conditions, an open loop application can be the most economical type of geothermal system.
Call Airflow today and discover for yourself the benefits that only WaterFurnace can provide 434-979-4328.