UNDERGROUND SCIENCE


ABOUT

Your yard is a solar collector. In fact, it collects 47% of the sun’s heat that hits its surface. This heat energy is stored underground and waiting to be tapped. The temperature underground stays consistent between 55-70 degrees regardless of the weather outside. This is a key point on why Geothermal heat pumps perform so efficiently even on those frigid winter nights. And in the summer a geothermal heat pump will cool your home effortlessly even when it is 100 degrees out.

HOW IT WORKS

There is an infinite amount of solar energy stored under your yard. During the winter, a geothermal heat pump simply collects the heat from the earth, concentrates the heat, and moves it into the house. During the summer, this heat pump cycle is reversed, and the heat is collected from your home and moved into the earth. The main components of a geothermal heat pump system are the loop piping (which is a network of piping installed underground) and the geothermal heat pump. The header piping connects the heat pump to the loop piping and a water-based fluid is circulated between the loop piping and the geothermal unit. This fluid transfers the heat from the ground to the geothermal unit.

SAFETY

A geothermal heat pump does not use any oil or gas associated with conventional fossil fuel-burning heating systems. The heat does not come from any form of combustion. A geothermal heat pump simply collects heat energy stored underground and moves it into your home, eliminating all the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, explosive fuels, and hazardous fuel storage. It operates on electricity only. Clean and green.

A bus stop with a sign that says

EFFICIENCY

A geothermal heat pump system harnesses the energy underground and is powered by electricity. In the winter, a modern geothermal heat pump can produce up to $5 of heat for every $1 spent on electricity to heat your home. In the summer, it moves heat from your house to the ground which is typically at a lower temperature than the house. So, in the summer a geothermal heat pump cools your home effortlessly and is twice as efficient as a conventional central A/C system. Since these underground systems are not exposed to the temperature outside, they perform efficiently whether it’s 0 degrees or 100 degrees outside. In fact, a properly designed geothermal system can save 50%-70% on your heating and A/C portion of your energy bills.

RELIABILITY

A properly installed and maintained geothermal heat pump will provide years of reliable service. Energywise, Inc. has been installing them for over 37 years and we have geothermal systems over 25 years old that are still performing efficiently. And, the useful life of the underground collector can be over 100 years.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Geothermal systems are recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as the most environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and energy-efficient heating and cooling technology available. These systems also minimize the threats of acid rain, air pollution, the greenhouse effect, and global warming—problems directly linked to the burning of fossil fuels. In fact, installing a single geothermal unit is the environmental equivalent of planting 750 trees.
source:
EPA Report - Space Conditioning: The Next Frontier, geoexchange.org.

COST EFFECTIVE

Geothermal heat pump systems are eligible for up to a $2,000 per ton PSEG rebate. In addition, they are eligible for a 30% Federal tax credit and a $5,000 NY State tax credit. These incentives will significantly reduce the investment so when financed, the energy savings will essentially make your monthly payment.

Share by: