Geothermal HVAC Myths & Facts

You may have heard many things about geothermal HVAC. It’s an interesting and not all too well-known topic! However, we’re fairly certain a few of those factoids may, in fact, be myths!

Myth 1: Geothermal HVAC systems are not considered renewable technology because they use electricity.

Fact: Geothermal HVAC systems use only one unit of electricity to move up to five units of cooling or heating from the earth to a building.

Myth 2: Photovoltaic and wind power are more favorable renewable technologies when compared to geothermal HVAC systems.

Fact: Geothermal HVAC systems remove four times more kilowatt-hours of consumption from the electrical grid per dollar spent than photovoltaic and wind power add to the electrical grid. Those other technologies can certainly play an important role, but geothermal HVAC is often the most cost-effective way to reduce the environmental impact of conditioning spaces.

Myth 3: Geothermal HVAC needs a lot of yard or real estate to place the polyethylene piping earth loops.

Fact: Depending on the characteristics of the site, the earth loop may be buried vertically, meaning little above-ground surface is needed. If there is an available aquifer that can be tapped into, only a few square feet of real estate are required. Remember, the water is returned to the aquifer after passing over a heat exchanger, so it is not “used” or otherwise negatively impacted.

Myth 4. Geothermal HVAC heat pumps are noisy.

Fact: The systems run very quiet, and there is no equipment outside to bother neighbors.

Myth 5. Geothermal systems eventually “wear out.”

Fact: Earth loops can last for generations. The heat-exchange equipment typically lasts decades since it is protected indoors. When it does need to be replaced, the expense is much less than putting in an entire new geothermal system since the loop or well is the most pricey to install. New technical guidelines eliminate thermal retention in the ground so that heat can be exchanged with it indefinitely. In the past, some improperly sized systems did overheat or over-cool the ground over time, to the point that the system no longer had enough of a temperature gradient to function.

Myth 6. Geothermal HVAC systems only work in heating mode.

Fact: They work just as effectively in cooling and can be engineered to require no additional backup heat source if desired. However, some customers decide that it is more cost-effective to have a small backup system for just the coldest days if it means their loop can be smaller.

There are many more amazing features and facts about geothermal heat pumps! Please give us a call if you would be interested in getting one for your home!