5 Benefits of Geothermal for Your Alpena, Home or Business
When you care about Eastern Michigan’s environment, you know that heating and cooling your home or business efficiently with sustainable energy is more than just a nice gesture. It is an essential way to shrink your carbon footprint and help you tread lightly on planet Earth.
Many property owners are turning to geothermal systems, a more environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional HVAC units that use fossil fuels. At Root’s Heating & Cooling, we are proud to help Michiganders embrace clean, sustainable energy solutions like geothermal.
Geothermal may be your perfect comfort solution because it uses a sustainable resource to heat and cool your home or business. You can rest assured that by choosing geothermal, you lighten your impact on the environment.
What is Geothermal Heating and Cooling?
Geothermal systems use stable temperatures just below the earth’s surface to efficiently heat and cool homes and commercial buildings. Even in Michigan, where winters can be harsh and summers sweltering, the ground maintains a consistent temperature, approximately 50° Fahrenheit, year-round.
In the winter, geothermal systems extract heat from the earth through a loop of heavy plastic, liquid-filled piping buried underground. They send the heat to a geothermal heat pump indoors for distribution throughout homes and businesses.
The process reverses in the summer. The systems pull heat from indoor air and expel it into the earth. The non-toxic, anti-freeze in the pipes transfers the heat from homes and businesses to the outdoors.
Geothermal heat exchange is an efficient process that provides consistent, comfortable temperatures no matter how extreme Michigan’s weather is, without depleting natural resources.
Geothermal Requires Excavation
A geothermal system consists of two major parts: the indoor heat pump and the underground pipes called a ground loop. That means you must excavate a portion of your Alpena, property to install the loop.
At Root’s Heating & Cooling, we can install a vertical loop, which requires deep drilling, or a horizontal loop, which involves digging trenches several feet below the surface. Horizontal loops are spread over more property than vertical loops.
Although excavation requires careful planning and execution, it is a one-time process. Once installed, the low-maintenance loop delivers energy-efficient comfort year after year.
Five Geothermal Benefits
Whether you live in Greater Alpena or in Michigan’s thumb area, there are many reasons why geothermal is the best heating and cooling investment for your Michigan property. Here are five top advantages:
1. Energy Efficiency: Geothermal systems are incredibly efficient because they transfer heat, rather than expending fuel to create heat. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) points out that geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy consumption by approximately 25 to 50 percent compared to a standard air-source heat pump. They can reach efficiencies of 300 to 600 percent even on cold winter nights.
Compare that to traditional air conditioners with approximately 100 percent efficiency, or furnaces with approximately 98 percent efficiency. You will see why geothermal is in a league of its own.
2. Lower Operating Costs: Geothermal systems have fewer moving parts and are sheltered from the outdoor elements, which means less wear and weather damage. The ground loops can last more than 50 years, and the indoor heat pumps typically last 20 to 25 years with minimal maintenance.
That is a huge benefit for homeowners and businesses looking to reduce long-term operating costs and avoid costly repairs.
3. Eco-Friendly: A geothermal systemuses renewable energy anddramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to a fossil fuel system. It is one of the greenest options for heating and cooling and an excellent way to contribute to a cleaner, greener Michigan.
4. Increased Property Value: A geothermal system is an attractive feature for eco-conscious home buyers. Not only does it enhance efficiency and comfort, but it can also increase property resale value. Energy-efficient homes and commercial buildings often sell faster and for more money.
5. Reliable Comfort for Businesses: For Michigan businesses, geothermal systems offer a dependable solution for maintaining a comfortable work environment while reducing overhead. They are particularly beneficial for commercial spaces with high energy demands, like office buildings, retail spaces, and warehouses.
Over time, these systems help reduce energy bills and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, which today’s customers and employees value.
Explore the Advantages of Geothermal Today!
If you want to learn more about how a geothermal system can transform your Alpena, property, contact the experts at Root’s Heating & Cooling today! We will provide a comprehensive assessment and help you understand if geothermal is the right solution for your heating and cooling needs. Call us at 989-871-2067 or request service online.
