Celco Heating and Air Conditioning Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Geothermal Heating’

How Does Geothermal Heating Work?

Monday, December 25th, 2017

geothermal-systemThere are a lot of ways in which homeowners may choose to keep their homes warm and cozy throughout even the coldest days and nights of the year. While most people are familiar with traditional heating systems like boilers and furnaces, there are other options out there to consider. The fact that you may not yet be familiar with geothermal heating, for instance, does not mean that it is not worth your attention. In fact, geothermal heating has many unique benefits to offer homeowners.

It is important to note that a geothermal heating system, like any other heater, is not going to be ideal for every home or homeowner.  For those that can and do take advantage of geothermal systems, however, the rewards are many. Read on to learn a bit more about how geothermal heating works, and why you may want to consider using a geothermal system in Norwalk, CT. As you’ll see, it is vital that you work with trained professionals when having your system installed and serviced, so be sure to keep us in mind.

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The Benefits of Geothermal Heating

Monday, February 22nd, 2016

There is a myriad of different heating options available on the market today, each with their own unique advantages. If you’re in the market for a new heating system, the possibilities can become so overwhelming that you may be tempted to go with something with which you’re already familiar. Before you do that, though, should give serious consideration to some of the other options on the market. Let’s take a look at one of those options, geothermal heating, and how it can benefit your home.

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Is Geothermal Heating the Right Option for Me?

Friday, March 21st, 2014

When it comes to heating and cooling a home, the power of a geothermal heat pump (also called a ground-source heat pump) offers one of the most effective, reliable, and environmentally-friendly methods. These heat pumps use the earth beneath the surface as the medium for heat exchange. During cold weather, they draw heat from the ground using loops of refrigerant buried in the soil and transport it inside to air handlers, where blowers distributes warmed air into homes. During hot weather, the process reverses and the heat pumps extracts heat from the indoor air and place it into the ground.

Because of the multiple advantages of a geothermal heat pump, many people are interested in having one installed. But they often shy away because of the installation price, or worries that the system won’t work on their property. If you’re wondering whether geothermal heating in Greenwich, CT is right for your home, we can answer some of your questions here. However, you’ll should talk to a geothermal expert for a definite answer: contact Celco Heating and Air Conditioning to speak to one.

Geothermal: The (Many) Upsides And The (Few) Downsides

Geothermal heat pumps have a stability of heating power that normal “air-source” heat pumps lack. Where an air-source heat pump will struggle with the coldest temperatures in Connecticut and lose efficiency, a ground-source heat pump always has sufficient heat for heat exchange because the temperature 6–10 feet below the surface remains stable no matter the temperature above.

This efficiency means that geothermal heat pumps costs less to operate; the U.S. Department of Energy estimates a geothermal system will pay back its installation cost in 5–10 years, and it can last more than 50 years. Add to that the low emissions and quiet operation of a geothermal system, and you have an ideal-sounding comfort solution for your home.

However, the upfront costs can be intimidating, and your budget plans may not work well with the long-term expectations of a geothermal heat pump. These systems also require a large amount of space for their coils. Although different coil configurations can save space, there are some homes that simply will not have sufficient room for a geothermal heat pump to work effectively. In addition, some types of soils, such as ones with high acidity, can damage the loops and will not work for geothermal power.

Let The Professionals Guide You

You now may have a better idea if a ground-source heat pump is right for you. But call Celco Heating and Air Conditioning first to schedule an appointment to discuss your heating system options in Greenwich, CT. You may find out that geothermal is the right way to go; if it isn’t, your technician will find the alternative that will do the best job for you.

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How Much Space Does a Geothermal System Need?

Friday, November 15th, 2013

Geothermal heat pumps are fantastic ways to get home comfort: they require little energy to run, experience few problems from outdoor temperature fluctuations, and produce no emissions from burning fuel. However, geothermal systems will not work with every home, and one of the reasons is the amount of space they require to operate efficiently. A geothermal system requires very little space inside your home; it’s the lines and coils placed in trenches beneath and around your home that need the space.

Before deciding on going with geothermal heating in Hamden, CT, contact a professional installation company.

The technicians at Celco Heating and Air Conditioning can survey your home and property, calculate your heating needs, and then determine if a geothermal system is ideal for you and how much space it will require. Some homes may not have enough space available to make a geothermal heat pump feasible; our technicians will have many alternate options that will suit your needs.

How Much Space Will My Geothermal Heating System Take Up in My Hamden, CT Home?

There is no simple answer to the question of how much space a geothermal system will take up: it depends on how much heating and cooling power your home requires. The trenches for the coils that carry the vital refrigerant need to go at least 6 feet deep in order to find a stable temperature in the earth. The length of these buried coils will depend on your house size.

A useful benchmark: about 400 to 600 feet of horizontal loops are needed for each ton of energy required to heat or cool. A mid-sized house usually requires a 3 ton unit, and so it would need space for approximately 1200 t0 1800 feet of coils. If there is less space available, vertical instead of horizontal loops can be used; this usually costs more to install, but does allow for homes with smaller property to get geothermal benefits.

Since determining the length of coils you will need depends on how much heating or cooling your home requires, you should bring in experts early in the process to perform a heat load calculation that will determine your specific needs. Once the technicians know how many tons of energy you will need, they can estimate the amount of coils the job will take and if you have the space for it.

Since you should never attempt to install a geothermal system on your own or hire amateurs to handle it—simply digging the trenches is too arduous and difficult—you will need experts involved at some point. It’s best to have them there at the beginning, so you know if geothermal heating for your Hamden, CT home is the best choice. Celco Heating and Air Conditioning has offered heating services to Hamden, Connecticut since 1976 with quality home comfort service, so contact us when you have questions about geothermal systems.

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