In terms of efficiency, geothermal heat pumps are far superior to models with an air source. This is because the temperature underground is relatively stable compared to the air temperature above the ground. A ground-based heat pump is better. Both are very effective in heating and cooling your home.
However, a ground-based heat pump is more energy efficient and lasts longer than an air-source heat pump or HVAC system. Over time, they discovered that the VRF solution consumed twice as much energy as their geothermal heat pumps. Floor radiant heating is a very uniform and comfortable heating method and is more suitable for new buildings where pipes can be installed during construction. The disadvantages of such a system are the outside noise made by the condenser (although some homeowners barely notice it) and the slightly higher ongoing cost of heating and cooling than with a geothermal installation.
So far, we've explained how geothermal energy compares to natural gas and propane, two of the country's most popular heating methods.
Geothermal heating
can get as hot as room temperature, which is about 23°C (75°F), according to the United States Office of Energy Efficiency (& Renewable Energy). The installation process and space requirements often make air-source heat pumps a more suitable heating and cooling solution for urban properties without yard space. As can be seen in the following graph, in all but the first month, the geothermal system addressed its heating and cooling load with much lower energy consumption per square foot compared to the installed VRF system.Indoor air passes through a series of internal coils, where heat is added or removed using a coolant to heat and cool the air and then pumped into the house. Since geothermal energy does not require the use of an outdoor heat exchanger and the main unit is located indoors, it is protected from the elements and has a 92% longer lifespan than traditional systems. In the following graph, in all the months of the study, except for the first month, the geothermal system performed its heating and cooling work with much lower energy consumption per square foot compared to the installed VRF system. Not all HVAC contractors offer geothermal heat pump installations, as the initial setup can be overwhelming.
If you are looking for a highly efficient heat pump or geothermal system, contact Ross & Witmer. Instead, the heat transfer medium is usually water or a liquid solution that can easily capture and release heat. If it's below freezing, there's less and less heat energy to extract, making the air-to-air heat pump work overtime to keep you comfortable. By comparison, the geothermal heat pump lives indoors, usually in a closet or somewhere in the basement.
Installing a geothermal heat pump takes longer because you have to dig into the ground, add the tubes and rebury it, in addition to the time it takes to install the unit.
