What is a Geothermal Heat Pump?
Frequently referred to as ground-source, water-source, earth-coupled, or GeoExchange heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps heat and cool your house using a system of pipes that are buried in the ground. These sealed pipes form a circulating loop—or ground loop—that is buried a few feet underground, where the temperature is more consistent than the outside air temperature, and transport air into your home or business via a heat pump and distribution system installed in the building.
While traditional air-source HVAC systems use coolant liquid and electricity to heat or cool outside air drawn into your home, geothermal HVAC units harness the earth’s constant temperature to heat or cool the air going into your home, moving temperature-conducting fluid through the pipes buried in the ground where it always stays between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Instead of trying to warm cold air in the winter and cool hot air in the summer—as with an air-source unit—geothermal heating and cooling units simply exchange the air from your home or business with the air in the ground, pulling the warmer air from the earth in winter and the cooler air in the summer into your building for more efficient temperature control with less energy and electricity requirements.
Why Should You Choose a Geothermal HVAC System?
Geothermal heat pump systems are especially effective in climates like Oklahoma, where the air temperature fluctuates frequently and dramatically.
How Are Ground Source Heat Pumps Different From Traditional Systems?
Air-source systems like traditional HVAC units not only rely on the outside air to manage the temperature in your home but they are installed above ground, exposed to the elements. This means that, in addition to trying to cool hot air in the summer, the HVAC unit is also competing with the sun and the heat, making it work twice as hard. The same is true for the winter—frigid air temperatures and wind chills can cause outdoor HVAC units to freeze up, leading to costly repairs at the most inopportune times.
Benefits of Installing a Geothermal Heat Pump
Because they take advantage of the consistent ground temperature, rather than manipulate the outdoor air—which can vary greatly from the indoor air—and they are protected from the elements, geothermal systems use 25% to 50% less energy and electricity than traditional HVAC units for constant, reliable, and comfortable airflow all year long. And, unlike traditional units, which depreciate over time and can be costly to maintain and replace, geothermal heating and cooling systems can deliver a return on investment in as little as 2 years with a lifespan of 24 years for inside components and more than 50 years for ground loop components.
Additional Benefits of Geothermal Heating & Cooling include:
- More stable indoor air temperatures throughout your entire home for continuous, low-level heating and cooling that is more comfortable than other forced air systems
- Energy-efficient, potentially helping you save up to 70% on heating, cooling, and hot water costs and reducing your electricity usage by 25-50%
- Longer operational life (up to 24 years for inside components and more than 50 years for the ground loop, as compared to a traditional HVAC with a lifespan of only 15-18 years)
- Minimal maintenance requirement
- Quieter functioning with no outdoor units
- Visually appealing (underground installation means no unsightly outdoor or wall-mounted unit)
- Environmentally safe and friendly (uses no propane, oil, or natural gas to operate and produces no flames, fumes, or carbon monoxide; lowest CO2 emissions and overall environmental impact rating of any temperature-controlling technology)
Geothermal heat pump systems may also include an optional desuperheater, which supplements the water heater in your home and can reduce water heating costs by as much as 25% or more.
You can learn more about geothermal heat pumps, how they work, and all of their benefits at the U.S. Department of Energy.
How Much Does a Geothermal HVAC System Cost in Oklahoma?
New geothermal units do demand a higher upfront cost at installation than a traditional system, but their rapid return on investment, combined with federal, state, and local rebates make them more affordable and cost-effective than you might think, especially in the long run. You can also use the ClimateMaster Geothermal Cost Savings Calculator to find out just how much you could save over time on your heating and cooling expenses with a geothermal system as compared to your traditional HVAC.
Our Geothermal Heating & Cooling Services
Geothermal HVAC System Maintenance in Oklahoma
While it is minimal—and significantly less than traditional HVAC units—your geothermal unit will require some maintenance. To ensure proper operation and maximum efficiency, installation, repairs, and annual inspections and maintenance should be performed by a geothermal expert who understands geothermal’s unique planning and implementation requirements.
Geothermal Heat Pump Installation in Oklahoma
Suntech Heat and Air is proud to be among Oklahoma’s leading geothermal heat and air service providers. After more than 30 years of experience designing, installing, and maintaining open and closed-loop geothermal heat pump systems, we’ve developed the expertise and insight to perform custom heat-loss and cooling-gain calculations with pinpoint accuracy, and our innovative software allows us to compare the operating costs and payback of various heating, cooling, and water heating options. This means you can be confident that we’ll create a geothermal system that meets your unique needs, exceeds your expectations, and maximizes your investment. We are certified to design a broad range of air distribution and exhaust systems, as well as radiant floor heating and multi-zone systems, for both residential and light commercial retrofit or new construction projects. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today to find out how geothermal and other renewable energy options can simultaneously help you reduce costs and improve your comfort. Call us today at (405) 785-0950, email us at info@suntechokc.com, or use our convenient online contact form.
Why Choose Suntech As Your Geothermal HVAC Company
When you choose Suntech Heat and Air as your geothermal partner, you’ll experience more than dramatic cost savings; you’ll receive first-class customer service and care, every time. Our NATE-certified maintenance and repair teams are available seven days a week, and we never charge weekend or after-hours service fees—ever. We use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to determine the repairs necessary, and we always treat our customers with the professionalism and respect you deserve from a company that has been serving Oklahoma for more than three decades. Changing the way you heat and cool your home doesn’t have to mean changing your expectations; let Suntech Heat and Air help you go green with geothermal.
