Below the earth’s surface, there is energy that can be used to heat and cool your home at an incredibly low cost. Geothermal systems have long pipes that extend into the ground to bring up heat from the Earth in winter. While they work to heat your home in the winter, they actually do the opposite in the summer. They take the warm air from your home and expel it into the ground. How do they manage to switch between cooling and heating, without you having to do anything? We will explain how geothermal systems cool your home and discuss whether that makes them a better investment for you.
How Geothermal Systems Work in Summer
Geothermal systems, also called geothermal heat pumps, work by tapping into the temperature of the Earth a few feet below the ground. How deep exactly depends on the frost line in your area. This is how deep the cold from the surface can extend into the ground on the coldest day. Below the frost line, the Earth is a consistent temperature. This temperature depends on your latitude, but around here it is usually about 6-11 degrees Celsius.
The cool thing about this temperature is that it is consistent year-round. In summer, the heat from the sun can’t get this deep either. So, it is still 6-11degrees Celsius, which is cooler than what you would set the thermostat to during the summer. The geothermal system allows you to tap into that source of coolness in the summer.
Instead of pumping heat up from the ground, the heat pump takes heat in your home and pumps it down into the ground. The ground is cool and readily accepts the heat, which makes your home much cooler.
Geothermal Pricing
For Canadians, a heat pump typically costs between $20,000-$30,000. The type of soil that your home is on, as well as the type and size of the geothermal system, will determine the exact cost of the heat pump.
In return for that cost, you will save significantly every year on your energy bills. Plus, a heat pump may also boost your property value. For homeowners who want to prioritize saving energy and reducing their impact on the environment, geothermal systems are a clear winner.
Saving energy and money on heating and cooling your home is as easy as installing a geothermal system. If you want to learn more about geothermal cooling systems, the experts at ClimateCare would love to help!
