ACI Northwest Blog: Archive for the ‘Geothermal’ Category

How to Cool Your Home with Geothermal Air Conditioning

Thursday, June 13th, 2013

We all want to stay cool in our homes and we want our air conditioners to work as efficiently as possible. One of the most efficient AC systems on the market is geothermal air conditioning systems. These types of systems use the free and endless energy of the earth to provide cooling to your home. The air conditioning professionals at ACI Northwest have years of experience working on all different kinds of geothermal systems. We know that homeowners are looking for any way to reduce their energy usage and we wanted to share with you how geothermal systems are able to do that in an efficient and environmentally friendly way.

Types of Geothermal Systems

There are a few different types of geothermal systems available on the market. But the general idea behind them is that they are heat pumps: they move heat from one area to another. Their major differences are where the move that heat to.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Probably the most common geothermal air conditioning systems are ground-source. If you dig down about 10 feet into the ground the temperature there is around 55° F—and it stays that temperature all year long. Ground source heat pumps use that consistent temperature to provide cooling to your home. However, in order to take advantage of that temperature, ground-source heat pumps need to have a lot of space available for the installation of a long series of coils. The coils are filled with refrigerant which is what actually carries the heat from your home into the ground. The Spokane air conditioning professionals at ACI Northwest offer fast and accurate installation services for homeowners that are interested in this type of system.

Water Source Heat Pumps

Water source heat pumps operate in a similar fashion to ground-source heat pumps. But as their name implies, they use a body of water to provide cooling. This means that as a homeowner you will need to have consistent access to a body of water like a stream, pond or lake. Water source heat pump coils are submerged in the body of water where the refrigerant will be able to deposit heat from your home. If you would like to learn more about geothermal systems just call the Spokane air conditioning installation experts at ACI Northwest.

Here at ACI Northwest, we know that you’re looking to stay comfortable in your home and use as little energy as possible. Geothermal air conditioning systems are a great option for homeowners that have the capacity for them.

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Geothermal FAQ: What Are the Advantages of Installing a Water Source Heat Pump

Monday, January 14th, 2013

If you have a body of water on your property and are looking to boost energy efficiency in your Spokane home with a geothermal heating and cooling system, consider installing a water-source heat pump system. Like other heat pumps, such as air-source or other geothermal models, water-source heat pumps transfer energy rather than consume fuel to create it.

Water source heat pumps pull this energy from water, and the more constant temperature at the depth they are submerged at can make them more effective than air-source models, as air is much more susceptible to temperature fluctuations. If a water source heat pump system sounds like a heating option you may be interested for your home, call the geothermal specialists at ACI Northwest today. We’ll make sure that you get the best system for your personal needs.

There are two basic types of water-source heat pumps. You can choose either an open or closed loop system. Both are effective, but the water source on your property will ultimately determine which is best for your Spokane area home. We can answer any questions you have about water-source heat pump loop systems, so don’t hesitate to call with questions.

A closed loop system is generally more expensive but does not actually use any of the water from your water source. A coil is installed beneath the water, and this closed loop acts as a heat exchanger. An antifreeze solution circulates throughout the loop system and heat is absorbed from the water. This heat can then be used in your home. When it is warm out a water-source heat pump can be reversed, dumping excess heat from your home back to the water source.

An open loop system does not make use of an antifreeze solution. Rather, the water from the source on your property is used itself to absorb and circulate heat. It is pumped through a heat exchanger and at the end of the cycle is simply dumped back to the source. There are certain requirements necessary for this type of installation, as well as a closed loop system, and permits may be required. Be sure to work with a qualified professional to ensure that everything is done according to code.

Contact ACI Northwest for all your geothermal needs!

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