Geothermal Solutions
The idea behind geothermal energy is simple. The earth stores a
vast reservoir of thermal energy (which is constantly
re-supplied by the sun), typically 10 times that required over
an entire heating season. A geothermal system simply transfers
heat from the earth to the home in the winter and from the home
back to the earth in the summer. The earth stays at a more
constant temperature than widely varying air temperatures. Because heat energy is being moved, and not created, geothermal
systems operate at higher efficiencies than ordinary heating and
cooling systems.
Geothermal technology is environmentally advantageous. These
systems can help curb environmental concerns such as acid rain,
global warming and ozone depletion (which are directly linked to
fossil fuel burning) by using natural energy removed from the
earth instead of energy that must be artificially produced,
generated and transported. Geothermal systems do not contain any
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the loop solution (which are
suspected to be a major cause of ozone depletion), use far less
refrigerant in the unit than ordinary heat pumps or air
conditioners, and are factory-sealed to prevent leakage.
|
Heating
During the heating cycle, a WaterFurnace geothermal system uses
the earth loop to extract heat from the ground. As the system
pulls heat from the loop it distributes it through a
conventional duct system as warm air. The same heat energy can
also be used for a radiant floor system or domestic hot water
heating.
Cooling
In the cooling mode, a WaterFurnace geothermal system air
conditions your home by reversing the heating process. Instead
of extracting heat from the ground, it is extracted from your
home and either moved back into the earth loop, or used to
preheat the water in your hot water tank. Once the heat is
removed from the air, it is distributed through the duct system
in your home. |
Four Basic Geothermal
Energy Sources
Closed-loop systems circulate a water-based solution
through a "loop" of small-diameter, underground pipes.
Closed-loop systems can be installed horizontally, vertically or
in a pond. Open-loop systems use an existing water well.
Regardless of whether the system is open or closed, heat is
transferred to or from the home to provide year-round comfort,
no matter what the outdoor temperature is.
 |
Horizontal Loops
Often used when adequate land surface is available.
Depending on system needs and space available, pipes
are placed in trenches that range in length from 100
to 400 feet. |
 |
Vertical Loops
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
Very economical to install when a large body of
water is available. Coils of pipe are simply placed
on the bottom of the pond or lake. |
 |
Open loops
(Well-Water Systems)
In ideal conditions, an open-loop application can be
the most economical type of geothermal system. These
use groundwater from a well as a direct energy
source. |
Geothermal vs. Geoexchange: what's in a name?
Geothermal energy has been used to heat and air condition
buildings for several decades. During that time, these
geothermal systems have been called many different things. Some
of the more popular variations include geo-thermal, geoexchange,
ground-water, ground-water assisted, ground-water-source,
water-to-water, and even our company name, water furnace heating
and cooling.
Call Us Today and
see how we can lower your energy cost!
970.663.4993
Colorado
307.222.0427 Wyoming
Earth Saving
According to
the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency:
The U.S.
General Accounting Office estimates that if geothermal heat
pumps were installed nationwide, they could save several billion
dollars annually in energy costs and substantially reduce
pollution.
HUD and USDA
have joined forces to support geothermal technology. Section
3013 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 defines a goal to “...
encourage states, municipalities, counties and townships to
consider allowing the installation of geothermal heat pumps ...”
Currently, nine
percent of the United States’ total energy consumption is for
residential heating and cooling. Many utility companies are
counting on geothermal heat pumps to reduce peak electric demand
and lessen environmental pressures stemming from ordinary
heating and cooling systems. Use of geothermal systems also
helps eliminate power peaks that cause brownouts. By flattening
out power peaks, electric companies will need to build fewer
power plants, thereby decreasing air pollution.
Energy
Saving
Geothermal
heating and cooling systems are at least three times more
efficient than fossil fuel systems. In energy consumption,
WaterFurnace systems use on average:
-
75%
less primary energy than oil
-
48%
less primary energy than natural gas
-
33%
less primary energy than air-source heat pumps
-
33% of
the refrigerant required by air-source heat pumps and
central air conditioners
Today, more
than 650,000 geothermal heat pumps are installed in the
United States, resulting in an annual savings of 5.2 billion
kWh, 26 trillion BTUs of fossil fuels and reduced
electricity demand of 1.7 million kW. These systems are the
equivalent of:
-
Taking
840,000 cars off the road
-
Planting 250 million trees
-
The
elimination of nearly four million tons of CO2 from the
atmosphere
-
Saving
14 million barrels a year of crude oil
Consumer
Satisfaction
Surveys of
geothermal users conducted by the Department of Energy and
utility companies nationwide indicate a higher level of consumer
satisfaction for geothermal heat pumps than for ordinary systems
and report that:
-
99% would
recommend the system to family and friends
-
95% said
overall operation met or exceeded their expectations
-
94% said
they would buy a geothermal system again
Top reasons
consumers select geothermal systems
-
Cost
effective - savings on monthly bills of 30-70% in heating
mode and 20-50% in the cooling mode
-
Comfortable
- constant, even comfort with no hot or cold spots
-
Safe and
clean - no flame, no flue, no odors; just safe, reliable
operation year after year
-
Quiet - no
noisy outdoor compressor
-
Versatile -
compatible with nearly any home or business, regardless of
terrain or weather conditions. Environmentally
friendly-emits no CO2, a major contributor to indoor and
outdoor air pollution.
-
The
elimination of outdoor or rooftop units means the system is
not exposed to temperature extremes, dirt, pollution or
vandalism
-
Geothermal
systems have a lower life-cycle cost than ordinary systems,
even in hot, humid regions where the demand for air
conditioning is high. Geothermal systems have long equipment
life (20 years and more)
Call
us for a geothermal system and
start lowering you energy bills today!970.663.4993
Colorado
307.222.0427 Wyoming
Geothermal heat
pumps are the most cost-effective, energy-efficient and
environmentally clean heating and cooling system available in
the United States.
