One of the alternative forms of heating and cooling many people are thinking about right now is geothermal technology. It offers greater comfort at a low monthly cost, but there are important considerations. If you’re considering a geothermal installation in Peoria IL, call Merit Mechanical at
309-981-8478.
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are also known as Ground Source Heat Pumps. They are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. You probably already know that below the frost line, underground temperatures are fairly stable. These systems take advantage of that fact, leveraging the temperatures underground to regulate indoor air temperatures. In Illinois, that underground temperature is usually about 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. A heat pump simply moves the heat between your home and the ground in whatever direction is appropriate at a given time.
In the first step, a network of pipes is buried underground. This loop can be laid out horizontally or vertically. These underground pipes are filled with water or a special antifreeze solution. Next, a heat pump transfers the heat between the ground loop and your home’s indoor air system. In some cases, this involves standard ductwork. In other cases, radiant floor heating is used.
During cold weather periods, the fluid in the ground loop absorbs heat from the ground and the heat pump transfers it indoors.
In hot weather, the heat pump extracts heat from the indoor air and transfers it to the ground loop, where the cooler ground absorbs it.
These pumps are very efficient and can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs. Because they use renewable energy from the ground, they produce lower greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, they have a minimal impact on the environment.
These systems provide a more consistent indoor temperature than traditional systems. You can expect to avoid the temperature swings experienced by those with air-source heat pumps.
There are two answers to this question. First, there is a high upfront investment in installing geothermal systems. Much of this comes from the expense of drilling or trenching for the ground loop. However, sometimes tax credits, rebates and incentives are available to reduce initial costs. Once the geothermal system is installed, you can expect considerable monthly savings. So while it costs more upfront, it costs less to operate.
Geothermal systems are not workable for every house. We’ll want to inspect your house before we start. We’ll check for various geological features before construction begins. Another consideration is the size of your housing lot. Very small lots may not have room for a horizontal loop system. They may be candidates for a vertical system, however. In some cases, the rock and soil present make the land unsuitable for a ground loop installation.
As always, we’ve identified the top manufacturers to partner with. For geothermal technology, we work with equipment made by companies including Bosch and Florida Heat Pump. The technicians at Merit Mechanical have all the proper licensing and certifications to install, maintain and repair geothermal systems.
If geothermal installation in Peoria IL sounds like the right system for you, call Merit Mechanical Service. Don’t forget we also offer the installation, maintenance and repair of virtually every mechanical system. Call us today at 309-981-8478.
308 East McClure Ave, Bartonville, Illinois 61607
