Geothermal systems provide space conditioning, heating, air conditioning
Geothermal heat geothermal
cooling: Geothermal systems provide space conditioning, heating,
cooling, and humidity control. They may also provide water heating,
either to supplement or replace conventional water heaters. Geothermal
systems work by moving heat, rather than by converting chemical energy
to heat like in a furnace. Most all geothermal systems have three major
subsystems or parts: a geothermal heat pump to move heat between the
building and the fluid in the earth connection, an earth connection for
transferring heat between its fluid and the earth, and a distribution
HVAC . Fireplace subsystem for delivering heating or cooling to the
building. Each system may also have a system to supplement the buildings
water heater, or a full-demand water heater to meet all of the buildings
hot water needs. In heating mode, heat is extracted from the fluid in
the earth connection by the geothermal heat pump and distributed to the
home or building typically through a system of air ducts. Cooler air
from the building is returned to the geothermal heat pump, where it
cools the fluid flowing to the earth connection. The fluid is then
rewarmed as it flows through the earth connection. In cooling mode, the
process is reversed. The relatively cool fluid from the earth connection
absorbs heat from the building and transfers it to the ground.
Geothermal systems are tested only for their operational characteristics
at the operating controls normally used by the home owner. It is
recommended that you have a geothermal heating and cooling specialist
review and maintain the system.