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4 Ways Geothermal HVAC Can Help You Save the Earth

May 16, 2018

You've probably heard in general terms that a geothermal heat pump is a more eco-friendly HVAC solution, but you should know all the details before you start planning to install one. Geothermal systems aren't just eco-friendly because they use less energy; they actually have several features that offer environmental benefits. Here are four of the top ways this type of system can help you save the earth.

1. GEOTHERMAL USES LOCAL HEAT DIFFERENCES

A geothermal pump uses the ground under your yard as a heat sink in summer to cool your home and pulls heat up from it in winter to heat your home. This use will have some effect on the temperature of the ground in your area, but it's an extremely local effect. The heat doesn't travel far — just up to your house or back down to the ground.

A geothermal pump has a much smaller effect on your surroundings than a heat pump that gets its heat from the air, which is an especially important point if you live in an urban area. Multiple HVAC units pumping out heat into the air can result in the urban heat island effect, which causes the temperature to often rise several degrees higher in cities than it otherwise would, which can negatively affect native species and local ecosystems.

2. GEOTHERMAL DOESN'T DEPEND ON NON-RENEWABLE FOSSIL FUELS

As of 2017, almost 63% of America's energy usage is derived from fossil fuels. Only 17% of the energy generated in 2017 was renewable. So unless you're very lucky, your power company probably uses fossil fuels.

While normal HVAC units use electrical power to run, which will use fossil fuels from your power company, a geothermal system doesn't depend on electricity to create heat. The system uses renewable heat from the ground around your home, reducing your carbon footprint and effect on the earth.

3. GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS NEED LESS MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

Any increase in your HVAC system's longevity is a win as far as eco-friendliness is concerned, because it means you'll be tossing fewer AC units into landfills over your lifetime. In addition, reducing the repair and replacement parts needed over the lifetime of the system means reducing the amount of raw materials needed to meet the demand for HVAC system repairs.

Since a geothermal system tends to last longer and have longer-lasting parts than other systems, it comes out on top in terms of waste and production.

4. GEOTHERMAL CREATES LESS NOISE POLLUTION

In addition to the urban heat island effect, conventional AC systems can also contribute greatly to noise pollution. Geothermal heat pumps, though, offer much quieter operation, providing yet another way you can reduce your impact on your local environment and your contribution to global noise problems.

Noise pollution problems are most severe in urban environments, where many AC units are grouped together and their noise is combined with other noises in the area. But no matter where you live, keeping noise levels down could help your hearing, blood pressure, and mental energy as well as help the environment.

These are just four ways geothermal HVAC systems can help you help the earth. And here's a bonus: open-loop geothermal systems are even more eco-friendly because they use water instead of chemical refrigerants. Although you can really only install this open-loop type if you have plenty of groundwater available, such as in your private well.

No matter why you decide on geothermal heating and cooling, be sure to give Henry Drilling LLC a call for your free estimate. We offer expert drilling services for not only geothermal HVAC systems but also wells, irrigation, and more. So read our blog, get in touch via phone or our onsite contact form , and let us know how we can help with your newest project.

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