If you’re looking for a new heating system in the middle of winter, chances are you’re in a bit of a hurry. Either your current heating system is in the process of breaking down, or has already given up the ghost entirely. In your rush to restore heating to your home, though, it’s important that you don’t overlook systems that might fit your needs better than just installing any system that fits. Geothermal heating is one of those systems that you should consider.
Carney All Seasons Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Geothermal’
The Advantages of Installing a Geothermal System
Monday, January 9th, 2017What The Geothermal Tax Credit Expiration Means for You
Monday, November 21st, 2016One of the things that has really propelled the growth of green technology over the decades has been government subsidies. For example, a very generous 30% tax credit has been in place for years for those who install systems like geothermal heat pumps. Unfortunately, parts of that tax credit are expiring at the end of this year. Geothermal systems are part of the provisions that are expiring. If you want to have a new geothermal system installed in your home, now is the time to do it.
How Does a Geothermal HVAC System Provide Heat?
Monday, October 26th, 2015One of the least understood HVAC systems around is the geothermal system. It’s understandable, as this system works very differently from any kind of traditional heating system, like a furnace or boiler. Now that we are heading into the heating season, you may be wondering exactly how a system like this provides your home with enough heat without using a combustible fuel. We’ll explain more about this below.
Looking for a “Green” AC System? Consider Geothermal
Tuesday, April 14th, 2015Air conditioners have not been known for their environmental friendliness, and this has led to the development and improvement of a variety of AC systems. One system that especially worth noting for being green is the geothermal system. This system has a great number of benefits, as we’ll explain below, but the one of the benefits that is simply outstanding for the environment is this: the system gives back 3-4 units of energy for every 1 unit it expends to heat or cool your home. Wondering how this happens? Let’s take a look at how the system works.
How Are Geothermal Systems Installed?
Monday, March 4th, 2013Geothermal systems are becoming more and more popular. Not only are they versatile—capable of both heating and cooling your home—but they also use far less energy than conventional systems. The installation process of geothermal systems is often misunderstood. We want to clear up any confusion our customers have so we put together a short description of how they’re installed. For fast and reliable geothermal installation in Ambler, PA, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.
There are a variety of different types of geothermal heat pumps, including closed loop, open loop, ground source, water source and others. All of these systems are different, but they all share the major geothermal components: the loop, geothermal heat pump unit, and ductwork. The most important consideration of every homeowner thinking of a geothermal unit in their home is professional installation. Only a qualified geothermal expert will be able to ensure that your system is installed correctly.
So, how are geothermal systems installed? Knowing the installation process can be a valuable asset during the installation process. Here are a few steps:
- Planning. This stage involves a comprehensive evaluation of your home and the surrounding area in order to ensure your geothermal heat pump matches your heating and cooling needs. We can’t stress enough the importance of planning the installation. There are many factors to consider: from the windows, insulation, and ceiling height to the home’s layout and its orientation on the land.
- Excavation and Loop Installation. Depending on the size and layout of your property, there are two basic options for the excavation and loop installation process: deep, vertical holes that go more than 100 feet into the ground, or a relatively shallow horizontal bed of piping. The loop itself is made out of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)that is thermal-fused for strong connections.
- Unit. The heat pump itself typically resides in the basement, just like a furnace or air conditioner unit. The refrigerant or water mixture that circulates through the pipes are branched together and run from the heat pump out into the loop.
Geothermal installations in Ambler, PA require quality workmanship, which is why many homeowners rely on Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We perform exceptional work and deliver superior customer service. Call us today!
Geothermal Guide: Geothermal Environmental Benefits
Monday, February 4th, 2013Whatever your reasoning for wanting to heat and cool your home more efficiently, Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help. We know that rising fuel costs can make keeping your home comfortable throughout the year a burden on your budget. We also understand that many homeowners are concerned with the environmental impact that doing so has. Whether you are looking to lower your carbon footprint or simply scale back your energy bills, a geothermal heating and cooling system installation in New Hope, PA can help. Contact us today to learn more about the many benefits you can enjoy with a geothermal installation.
While traditional heating and air conditioning systems must consume a fuel in order to create the energy needed to heat and cool your home, a geothermal heating and cooling system does not. Geothermal systems utilize a heat pump in order to keep you comfortable throughout your year. Their great efficiency levels are a result of the heat transfer process that they employ.
Rather than burning fuel to condition air, heat pumps and geothermal systems transfer existing heat into or out of your home. This process requires just a small amount of electricity to heat and cool your home. By transferring heat into your home in the winter and back out in the summer you can keep comfortable in a more environmentally friendly way.
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are often even more efficient than other heat pump options, such as air-source heat pumps. Whereas these heat pumps draw energy from the air around them, geothermal systems take it from beneath the ground or under water on your property. The temperature at these depths is much more constant than in the air, meaning that even less energy is required to make use of it. Save money and make your home a little greener with a geothermal installation in New Hope, PA.
There are many factors that will affect the success of your geothermal heating and cooling system. Make sure that you call the geothermal experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to handle your service. We can help you scale back your energy costs while making your New Hope, PA home more efficient and eco-friendly than ever before. Contact us today for more information.
How Can a Geothermal System Installation Save Me Energy?
Monday, January 14th, 2013Every homeowner likes to be comfortable in their own home, no matter how swelteringly hot or bitterly cold the temperature may be outside. With energy prices rising as much as they tend to, though, the cost of keeping your home comfortable year round may dissuade you from doing so. At Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we think that that is simply unacceptable. No homeowner should have to sacrifice their comfort to lower energy bills in Buckingham, PA. If high energy costs have got you feeling low contact us today to learn more about geothermal heating and cooling systems.
A geothermal heating and cooling system is one of the most efficient ways in which you can choose to keep your home comfortable all year long. Unlike more conventional heating and air conditioning systems, geothermal heating and cooling systems do not consume fuel in order to keep your home comfortable. Rather, they utilize a geothermal loop system that is buried on your property to absorb existing heat from the ground or a water source. This heat can then be used in your home to warm it in the winter. In the cooling season the process is easily reversed, allowing the geothermal heat pump to remove heat from your home to cool it. Only a very small amount of electricity is used in the process.
Unlike air source heat pumps, a geothermal system does not fall prey to widely fluctuating air temperatures such as those of the air. Because temperatures are much more even and consistent underground or underwater than they are in the open air, a geothermal system can be even more efficient and dependable than standard heat pumps. While the installation of a geothermal system is a bit more involved and expensive than other home comfort system options the potential savings in energy costs over time can help offset the initial investment.
For more information about geothermal heating and cooling system installation services in Buckingham, PA, contact the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We can answer any questions that you may have. You might wind up deciding that this environmentally friendly, highly efficient comfort system option is the right choice for your home heating and cooling needs.
Line Lexington Geothermal Tip: Common Geothermal Heat Pump Repairs
Monday, October 15th, 2012Your Line Lexington home’s geothermal heating and air conditioning system is a pretty incredible piece of equipment. But just like other heating systems, they rely on a heat pump and a series of ducts to push the heated or cooled air throughout your home. When you have trouble with your heat pump, your geothermal system won’t be able to work correctly either. We’ve put together a list of some of the most common problems that we see with heat pumps. If you are experiencing any of these issues, contact your local Line Lexington geothermal professionals immediately.
Insufficient Heat
If your geothermal system has stopped producing enough heat for your home it could be the result of a number of things. Related to your heat pump, the first thing you’ll want to check is the ducts going from your heat pump to your home and their corresponding air filters. There is a good chance that the problem is dirty ducts and a clogged air filter. If that is the case, simply clean the ducts and change the air filter. If this doesn’t fix the problem, you’ll also want to check your thermostat and possibly have it replaced by a professional heating company.
No Heat
If your heat pump has simply stopped producing heat entire it could be a simple fix. Check the power supply to make sure that the main connection isn’t corroded or broken.
Leaks
Leaks in your geothermal system can cause a lot of different problems, including insufficient heating from your water source heat pump. If you think that any of your underground pipes is leaking, call a professional right away to examine your system and make sure nothing needs to be repaired or replaced.
If you’re having any of these issues or other issues with your geothermal heat pump, then call the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We have experience working with geothermal systems in Line Lexington and can make sure your system gets back up and running quickly.
How is Geothermal Heating Different than a Boiler or Furnace?
Monday, October 8th, 2012If you need a new heating system in Quakertown, there are quite a few options to choose from. But before we can talk about the differences between boilers, furnaces and geothermal systems we need to understand how they work.
How a Boiler Works
Boilers, like most traditional heating systems, require a fuel source, normally oil or gas, which is combusted in exchange for heat. In the case of a boiler, that heat is transferred to water that is circulated to radiators in each room where the heat from the water is expelled into the air.
How Furnaces Work
With furnaces, the heat generated by the burning of fuel is transferred to a piece of metal called a heat exchanger. The furnace blows cool air from the house over the heat exchanger which warms the air and it is then delivered to the rest of the house using a series of ducts.
How Geothermal Systems Work
A geothermal system uses a pump to circulate liquid, sometimes water or a mixture of anti-freeze and water, into the ground where it is either heated or cooled—depending upon the needs of the people in the house.
The Differences between Boilers, Furnaces and Geothermal Systems
The main difference between a geothermal system and a boiler or a furnace is that it doesn’t require any kind of fuel source. The energy for the geothermal system is actually in the ground. If you dig about 10 feet into the ground, the temperature of the soil stays at an almost constant 55° F no matter what the temperature of the air is above it. When the air in the home needs to be cooled, a geothermal system absorbs the heat from the air and transfers it into the ground. When the home needs to be warmed, the process is reversed: heat from the ground is absorbed by the liquid in the pipes and transferred to the air in the home.
The only energy being used is the electricity to run the heat pump that circulates the liquid in the pipes and the air handler to distribute the conditioned air.
If you’d like to learn more about installing a geothermal system or to see if your property in Quakertown can support one, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.
Will Geothermal Add Value to My Home?
Tuesday, September 4th, 2012If you are currently considering having a new geothermal system installed in your Abington home you may wonder if that big investment will pay off if you decide to sell your home before the payoff period begins. Because any energy efficient upgrade for your home will take many years to pay off, it is important to know whether it will have a positive impact on the perceived value of your home.
To date, it has been hard to determine if people actually see an increase in home value after having a geothermal system installed. On paper it would make sense for there to be such an increase in value because the system reduces the cost of heating and cooling month after month, year after year. However, geothermal systems are relatively uncommon still so data about such sales is limited. Because most home valuing occurs in comparison to the sale of nearby homes, it would be hard to determine the impact in any one neighborhood unless a nearby home of a comparable size and with a geothermal system installed was sold recently.
Another factor to consider here is the perceived problems that come with a geothermal system. The technology is new and a potential buyer may be nervous about having to deal with a new system they do not understand and that could conceivably break at some point in the future. They may not even realize it is a unique form of heating and cooling or that there are substantial energy savings involved in having such a system.
Despite all these potential drawbacks, however, most realtors believe that green homes have a slightly higher value than those that are not considered green. A study conducted in 1999 showed that home values tended to increase by as much as $20 for every $1 per year saved in energy costs. Recent studies have shown similar interest in energy savings over what is considered the standard and real estate agents are increasingly using tools to pinpoint green energy homes for those seeking such options.
While there is no way to be certain how much a geothermal system will affect the value of your Abington home, it is relatively safe to assume that such an upgrade will have a positive impact on its value. For more information about geothermal installation in Abington, give Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call!