Is a Geothermal System the Right Choice for Your Home?

Due to high energy bills, especially during the summer and winter months, many Sarasota, Florida, homeowners are looking for ways to improve the efficiency of their HVAC systems. Often, these homeowners don’t think to have a geothermal energy system installed in their home because they don’t know much about these systems.

If you’re unsure whether geothermal is the right choice for your heating and cooling needs, here are some facts and clarifications about the misconceptions surrounding geothermal heat pumps.

How Do Geothermal Systems Work?

As you could probably tell by the name, geothermal systems rely on geothermal energy to work. This geothermal energy originates from the heat of the Earth, which comes from the radioactive decay of the Earth’s minerals and solar energy absorbed by the Earth’s surface. Some of the energy even comes from the Earth’s formation, which occurred billions of years ago.

Do Geothermal Systems Lower Energy Costs?

A common question that many homeowners have relates to whether geothermal systems are actually capable of lowering energy costs. Homeowners who have geothermal systems installed often experience a decrease in annual energy costs by 25 to 50 percent, which translates into annual savings of hundreds of dollars. With geothermal systems, it is possible to cool and heat a house with an area of 2,000 feet for just $1 or less per day.

Some geothermal systems can also harness energy for heating water, which results in even more savings when it comes to energy costs. The reason geothermal heat pumps are so energy-efficient is because they are able to use a unit of electricity to produce up to four units of heat. This is significantly more efficient than a conventional system.

Do Geothermal Systems Work in Cold Weather?

Due to the way geothermal systems function, a common misconception that homeowners harbor is that geothermal systems are not ideal for cold climates. The misconception stems from the fact that geothermal systems get heat from the surface of the Earth. The assumption is that in very cold weather, the geothermal systems will not be able to harness much energy from the Earth’s surface.

The truth is that while the temperature of the Earth’s surface fluctuates, the temperature a few feet below the Earth remains fairly stable at about 55 degrees Fahrenheit all year long. Therefore, even if the temperature gets below freezing in the winter, the geothermal system will have no problem maintaining a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit for your home.

Are Large Properties Needed for Geothermal Systems?

Many homeowners believe geothermal systems are very complex, which has led to the misconception that they need a large property for a geothermal system. This is not the case, as technicians have designed geothermal systems to be very flexible. While there are geothermal systems that will take advantage of a large amount of space, other geothermal systems will suit smaller properties.

Another misconception is that the landscape around a home needs to be completely free of rocky terrain to accommodate a geothermal system. In actuality, geothermal systems can work in rocky landscapes, thanks to the advent of loop field installations.

Are Traditional Heating Systems Necessary as a Backup?

It is actually not necessary for a homeowner to have a traditional heating system installed as a backup for a geothermal system. In fact, it is more sensible for a homeowner to have a geothermal system as a backup for a traditional heating system. As long as your geothermal system is installed and sized properly for your home, you can count on it as a dependable source of energy for your home.

If you’re interested in having a geothermal system installed for your home, don’t hesitate to contact us here at All American Heating & Cooling at (941) 451-5228. Not only will we be able to answer your questions and address your concerns, but we will also be able to give you more exact information about how geothermal systems will likely benefit you.