 |
| Commercial | Residential | Ice Arenas |
How does a geothermal heating
and cooling system work?
What makes a geothermal
system different for ordinary systems?
What are the components
of a geothermal system?
How efficient is a
geothermal system?
Do geothermal systems
require much maintenance?
What does geothermal
mean for the environment?
Does a geothermal
system heat and cool?
Can a geothermal
system also heat water?
What can Harty
Mechanical, Inc. offer?
How does a geothermal heating and cooling system work?
Outdoor temperatures fluctuate with the changing seasons but underground temperatures don't. Four to six feet
below the earth's surface, temperatures remain relatively constant year round. A geothermal system, which
typically consists of an indoor unit and a buried earth loop, capitalizes on these constant temperatures to
provide "free" energy. In winter, fluid circulating through the system's earth loop absorbs stored heat and
carries it indoors. The indoor unit compresses the heat to a higher temperature and distributes it throughout
the building. In summer, the system reverses, pulling heat from the building, carrying it through the earth loop
and depositing it in the cooler earth.
To see an illustration of how the system works in the winter
click here.
To see an illustration of how the system works in the summer
click here.
What makes a geothermal system different form ordinary systems?
Unlike ordinary systems, geothermal systems do not burn fossil fuels to generate heat; they simply transfer heat
to and from the earth to provide a more efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly method of heating and
cooling. Typically, electric power is used only to the unit's fan, compressor and pump.
What are the components of a geothermal system?
The three main parts consist of the heat-pump unit, the liquid heat-exchange medium (open or closed loop),
and the air-delivery system (ductwork).
How efficient is a geothermal system?
A geothermal system is three to four times more efficient than the most efficient ordinary system. Because
geothermal systems do not burn fossil fuels to make heat, they provide three to four units of energy for every
one unit used to power the system.
Do geothermal systems require much maintenance?
No. Geothermal systems are virtually maintenance free. When installed properly, the buried loop will last for
generations. The other half of the operation - the unit's fan, compressor and pump - is housed indoors, protected
from the harsh weather conditions. Usually, periodic checks and filter changes are the only required maintenance.
What does geothermal mean to the environment?
Geothermal systems work with nature, not against it. They emit no greenhouse gases, which have been linked to
global warming, acid rain and other environmental hazards.
Does a geothermal system heat and cool?
One thing that makes a geothermal heat pump so versatile is it's ability to be a heating and cooling system in one.
With a simple flick of a switch on your indoor thermostat, you can change from one mode to another. In the
cooling mode, a geothermal heat pump takes heat from indoors and transfers it to the cooler earth through either
groundwater or an underground earth loop system. In the heating mode, the process is reversed.
 |
 |
Yes. Some geothermal heat pumps can provide all of your hot water needs on demand at the same high
efficiencies as the heating/cooling cycles. An option called a desuperheater can be added to most heat
pumps. It will provide significant savings by heating water before it enters your hot water tank.
What can Harty Mechanical, Inc. offer?
Harty Mechanical, Inc. has significant experience with geothermal systems. We can help you design your system
using the latest technology. We can offer different systems depending on your needs, desired comfort, space/land
conditions and budget. Our firm is certified by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA)
for heat pump installations. Harty Mechanical, Inc. is one of only a handful of contractors certified within
Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and North/South Dakota.
 |
For more information call Pat, Patrick, Or Shavonn at Harty Mechanical, Inc. You may also visit our links
page, or click on the GeoExchange logo above.
Harty Mechanical, Inc.
1600 1 St Avenue NE
PO Box 277
Austin, MN 55912
Phone 507.437.8201
Fax 507.437.8378
Back
Copyright © 2002 by Harty Mechanical, Inc.