Geothermal Heating & Cooling Services in Milton, Freeport and Surrounding Florida Cities
Heating and cooling your home with a geothermal heat pump presents a compelling alternative to conventional forced-air HVAC systems. The geothermal process maximizes the transfer of heat, which makes the technology extremely efficient. A ground source heat pump can help to substantially lower your utility costs, but it’s important to hire a contractor who has experience installing these complex systems.
The Geothermal Process
Traditional air-to-air heat pumps begin to lose efficiency as outdoor seasonal temperatures become increasingly severe. However, a geothermal system relies on the Earth itself to transfer heat energy. Since the temperature of the Earth remains stable year-round, the transfer process is far more effective.
Geothermal equipment includes three critical components that are responsible for the superior efficiency of the system:
- The Conduit: The conduit creates the pathway between the earth and the condensing coil and serves as the primary mechanism for the transfer of heat.
- Air Distribution Network: The blower pulls stale air from the inside of the building, and returns conditioned air into each room through the supply ductwork.
- Condensing Unit: The condenser houses the compressor, condensing coil and the other components needed to accommodate the refrigeration cycle.
Geothermal heat pumps are similar to conventional models, but the system is characterized by a loop-style heat exchanger. Like a conventional HVAC system, geothermal can provide forced-air heating, radiant heating and air conditioning.
The unique geothermal heat exchanger is attached to the earth through a specially designed polyethylene piping system. Geothermal systems are available in open-loop and closed-loop configurations. Closed-loop designs are the most popular, and they use an antifreeze solution circulated through an underground piping network. Open-loop systems must be installed near a well or other permanent water source.
Geothermal HVAC Benefits
Ground source heat pumps provide many important benefits. In our area, outdoor temperatures can vary by over 60 degrees or more, between the highs of summer and the lows of winter.
By contrast, the ground temperature hardly changes at all throughout the year. Since the temperature of the Earth is so stable, a geothermal system can save up to 40 percent in annual utility costs compared to a traditional 14 SEER heat pump. Instead of burning fossil fuels, heat pumps transfer energy, and a geothermal unit can be up to five times more efficient than a 96 AFUE rated furnace.
For those who are committed to preserving the environment, geothermal heat pumps are very environmentally friendly due to their reduced fuel consumption and low emissions. The EPA has consistently recognized geothermal as the most efficient heating and cooling technology currently available.
Total Geothermal HVAC Services
Lunsford Air Conditioning & Heating offers complete geothermal services for those living in Pace, Milton, Escambia County, Perdido, Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Cantonment, FL, and the surrounding area. We encourage you to call one of our friendly representatives to learn more about the many benefits of installing a geothermal heat pump system.