Furnaces and air conditioners that use electricity, oil, or gas change the temperature of air and distributes it throughout your home. Systems that require less fuel decrease the overall cost of operation, making them more efficient. Geothermal systems begin with moderate temperatures to increase fuel efficiency and reduce costs. To do this, they act much like a heat pump does. Heat pumps rely on heat energy from the ground and reduce the amount of energy needed to heat your home.

Geothermal Heating and Cooling in Dallas, TX

Outside surface temperatures change from hot to cold, but underground temperatures remain constant. Although subsurface temperatures vary by latitude, the air 6 to 10 feet under your home remains constant throughout the year. Subsurface temperatures range from 45° F in northern latitudes to 75° F near the equator. In Dallas, TX, the temperature 10 feet down remains 55° F.

Geothermal pumps require a small amount of energy to transform subsurface temperatures to hotter or cooler air. In the winter, the warmer underground temperatures produce geothermal heating, whereas cooler underground summer temperatures produce geothermal cooling. This is much more efficient than heating or cooling surface air, which will be much lower or higher, respectively.

• Heat Sink: This component lies far beneath the ground to take advantage of the constant temperature. Metal or plastic pipes placed vertically or horizontally contain water or antifreeze to transfer heat in a closed-loop system. The liquid remains in the pipes and does not contact the air or soil, preventing contamination. Both systems work similarly. However, larger facilities typically use vertical heatsinks because they take up less land area than horizontal ones.
• Heat Pump: The air inside your home is between 40 and 100° F depending on the season, but the subsurface temperatures do not change. This allows the heat pump to transfer heat from inside the building to the underground heat sink system or pull heat from beneath the ground during the cooling phase.
• Distribution System: The distribution system delivers the hot or cold air to your home using ductless systems.

Should You Install a Geothermal System?

There are many considerations when it comes to implementing a geothermal system. We can send a technician to your home to help you determine if this would work well for your home or business. Initial setup costs vary greatly but typically run thousands of dollars. However, you can save up to 60% on your energy bill compared to traditional HVAC systems.

It takes about 5 to 10 years to recoup your initial investment. So, if you plan to stay in your current home for at least that long, it might be worthwhile to invest in this efficient heating system. Underground components can last up to 50 years, while the above-ground components last up to 30 years. This is much longer than the useful life of most furnaces and air conditioning systems. Geothermal systems also require much less maintenance than typical systems.

You can count on our professional technicians to provide an analysis of the cost versus your savings potential. This is particularly useful for commercial buildings. As a family-owned and operated company, we have served our community for more than two decades. We can also perform an Energy Star Home Performance Evaluation, so you have an idea of your current system’s efficiency. In general, geothermal systems (40+ EER) are much more efficient and environmentally friendly than standard HVAC units, including heat pumps (17-20+EER for standard or ductless units).

Benefits of Professional Installation in Dallas, TX

To take advantage of this renewable energy source, you need a qualified contractor who knows what they’re doing. Contact us today for a no-obligation quote on a system less dependent on fossil fuels. You can even use photovoltaic solar energy combined with geothermal energy for an extremely efficient system.

Floor and baseboard systems work well with geothermal energy but not with heat pumps. Additionally, you can retrofit your home to work with geothermal energy without major architectural changes.

The federal government offers tax credits that cover 26% of your equipment and installation costs. So, a $20,000 system costs about $14,800 once you receive the tax cut. Check with the Department of Energy for changes to this policy and to determine your actual savings.
Ask one of our customer service representatives or your technician about state and local incentives such as rebates, loans, and grants geared toward geothermal systems.

Geothermal equipment lasts for decades, and most brands have wireless components you can control with a mobile app. They are also quieter than heat pump systems, with geothermal systems running at 20-48 decibels compared to pumps, which produced 54 to 70 decibels of noise.

Contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating today for more information on geothermal systems in Dallas, TX. We can also provide a quote for vertical or horizontal configurations.