Fort Wayne Geothermal Information & FAQ’s
How Does A Fort Wayne Geothermal Heating And Cooling System Work?
The outside temperature fluctuates with the seasons, but temperatures are not changing nearly as rapidly underground. Four to six feet below the Earth’s surface, temperatures remain relatively constant through every season of the year. A geothermal system, which usually consists of an indoor unit and an underground loop buried in the earth, capitalizes on these consistent underground temperatures to provide and capture “free” energy. It’s called “free energy” because the energy is stored up in the earth and we can withdrawal several dollars worth of energy for every dollar spent getting it. In winter, the fluid flowing in the ground loop system absorbs stored heat and that heat is transferred into your home. The indoor unit creates even more heat as it compresses the heat to a higher temperature. Now it takes the heat and distributes it throughout the home or building. In the summer time the system reverses itself. Instead of pulling heat from the earth, it begins pulling heat from your home. It then begins carrying the heat out of your home and through the earth loop and depositing it into the cooler earth. This works continually because of the consistent temperatures 4 to 6 feet below the earth’s surface.
How Long Will a Fort Wayne Geothermal System Last?
Geothermal systems have the longest “life span” of all types of residential heating and cooling systems. Based on national averages:
- Forced Air systems will typically last 14-15 years
- Electric Heat Pumps should last 16-18 years
- Fort Wayne Geothermal Heat Pumps should last 20 years or longer; and the ground loops are often good for 50 years or more!
A word of caution..the most important time for your new system is the time of installation! Unfortunately not all Fort Wayne Geothermal Contractors take the same care in designing geothermal systems. For the best longevity make sure your equipment is the best size for your home, your contractor has highly trained and experienced installers, and they use the best materials and installation techniques.
