Even with the growing popularity of geothermal HVAC systems in northwest Arkansas homes, there’s still a lot of confusion about how they work and whether they are really “green systems.” Here’s the truth behind some common geothermal myths.
1. Myth: Geothermal systems cannot be called a renewable technology because they still require electricity.
Fact: Because geothermal heat pump systems use only one unit of electricity to effectively transfer as much as five units of heating or cooling from the ground into your home, they are a highly renewable heating and cooling system. So while not totally renewable as an HVAC system, since they do use some electricity, they come very close to being so.
2. Myth: Geothermal systems only work in homes with a lot of yard acreage to bury the polyethylene pipe loop system.
Fact: The ground loops can be buried vertically, or, when tapped into a nearby aquifer, they require only a few square feet of yard.
3. Myth: Geothermal heat pumps are excessively noise.
Fact: The indoor heat pump operates very quietly, and the system requires no noisy outside condenser/compressor unit.
4. Myth: Geothermal systems are quick to wear out.
Fact: Polyethylene earth loops can last for generations, much longer than other standard heating and cooling equipment. Additionally, because the heat-exchange equipment is located inside and away from the elements, it can last 25 years or more.
5. Myth: Geothermal systems only operate in the heating mode.
This is one of the most enduring of geothermal myths. As with standard air-source heat pumps, these systems operate just as effectively in their cooling mode as their heating mode. This makes them an especially cost-effective long term option for our changeable Arkansas climate.
To learn more about the true facts that bust common geothermal myths and misconceptions, please contact us at Paschal Heat, Air, & Geothermal. Our experienced HVAC technicians have been proudly providing expert heating and cooling solutions to northwest Arkansas for more than 45 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Springdale, Arkansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about geothermal and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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