This is a follow-up on last week’s post, where we discussed ways to tell if you air conditioning system was due to retire and have a replacement put in. If you believe that the time has come to install a new air conditioner, you have many options aside from the conventional split system AC. You could have a heat pump installed, or try a ductless mini split system.
Or… what about a geothermal system? It might not have occurred to you, but a geothermal heat pump is a viable alternative for cooling in many homes. Let’s take a closer look it.
Geothermal power for cooling
The reason that people often don’t immediately think of using a geothermal system for air conditioning is because they associate the word geothermal with heating power. It’s true that the steady heat of the earth below the frost line is the reason that geothermal systems work at all. And geothermal heating is an excellent way to provide warmth for a home. But geothermal cooling is also very effective.
How does it work? The simple answer is that geothermal comfort systems are types of heat pumps, which means they can both remove heat from a home and bring heat into it. The difference is that with a geothermal system, the heat is removed from the house and deposited into the ground, rather than released into the air, when in cooling mode. The earth’s stable temperature works well as heat sink during hot weather. In fact, geothermal heat pumps are more energy-efficient than air-source heat pumps and can help you reduce your energy bills year-round.
Geothermal systems are extensive, and you want to make sure that you are making the right choice before you decide on installation. Always call professionals for a consultation to see if geothermal is a good option for cooling (and heating) your home.
Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. offers installation of geothermal heating and cooling systems in Ft. Walton Beach, FL and throughout Northwest Florida.