Geothermal Basics for Alaska

Energy Efficiency Associates is committed to bringing you the information that you need to make a smart decision when it comes to your heating and cooling system for your home or business. The first part in a five part series, this article will go over the basics of a geothermal solution.

 

So, how does a geothermal system keep your house warm during the winter and cool during the summer? It’s all about making the most out of the stored energy that can be found under your feet. The temperature of the earth a few feet below the surface in Alaska stays relatively constant throughout the year. The unit makes use of this constant temperature by using a loop system to move the warmer temperature from the ground and move it to the home during colder months, and pushing the warmer air from the home and depositing it in the ground during the warmer months.

 

A geothermal system doesn’t use fossil fuels to create its heating and cooling. It uses the heat that already exists in the ground without contributing any carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, or any other air pollutants to the environment. The only electricity that a geothermal unit will use is the electricity that it takes to operate the fans, compressor, and pump. All of this lends itself to a lean, clean-running, energy efficient heating and cooling system.

 

Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and Coefficient of Performance (COP) are ratings on how efficient your potential Alaska geothermal system can condition your home; EER relating to cooling and COP for heating. Geothermal systems retain the highest ratings in the industry. With our Envision series, it leads the pack. This geothermal pump boasts an impressive 30 EER and a 5.1 COP. That’s conditioning that will definitely save you cash.

 

To learn more on the basics of geothermal heating and cooling systems, please contact Energy Efficiency Associates. We possess many years of experience with proper sizing and installation of geothermal heat pumps. We’re confident that we can do the same for you. Stay tuned for part two of our series on geothermal systems: Geothermal Heat Pumps.