Even though our temperatures change throughout the year, the temperature below ground stays fairly consistent all year.
The ground is able to maintain a higher rate of temperature consistency because it absorbs 47% of the sun’s energy (heat) as it hits the Earth’s surface. WaterFurnace geothermal systems are able to tap into this free energy with an earth loop. This technology is then used to provide your home or office with central heating and cooling.
During the heating cycle, a WaterFurnace geothermal heat pump 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 for domestic hot water heating.
In the cooling mode, the heating process is reversed – creating cool, conditioned air throughout the home. Instead of extracting heat from the ground, heat is extracted from the air in your home and either moved back into the earth loop, or used to preheat the water in your hot water tank.
Geothermal energy systems have 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. Our experienced and trained consultants can help you understand all of this during an in-home consultation.
