Geothermal Heating Services in Stillwater, Oklahoma
While there are many ways that you can choose to heat your home, geothermal heat pumps are some of the most efficient heating systems on the planet. They are installed around the world to heat and cool homes and they are becoming more popular as their benefits are more widely known. Not every heating and cooling company has the capability and the experience to install or service geothermal systems, but at Sitton Mechanical LLC, we are staying at the forefront of our industry by providing heat pump installation services in Stillwater, OK.
Misconceptions About Geothermal Systems
When residents of colder areas hear the term “heat pump” they may dismiss this type of system based on the misconception that they won’t work in their colder climate. They may be thinking about air-source heat pumps, which take heat from the air and transfer it through the heat pump and to the home. This type of heat pump is only efficient in more moderate climates, although improving technology has made it feasible in a wider range of areas.
Geothermal heat pumps take their heat, not from the air which can change from day to day, but from under the ground which stays at a relatively constant temperature year-round. During the summer, the temperature several feet under the ground is cooler. During the winter, it stays warm even when the surface of the ground is freezing. The ground is warmed by a combination of the energy from the sun and the constant breakdown of minerals. This energy can be harnessed and used to heat the home efficiently and in a way that is eco-friendly.
What are Geothermal Heat Pumps?
A geothermal heat pump consists of an inside system and a loop of plastic piping that is filled with liquid. The system sends this water underground through the pipes where it is warmed by the natural temperature underground. The warm water is brought inside the home where the heat pump, which runs exclusively off a minimal amount of electricity, extracts the temperature and uses it to warm the house through your central ductwork. While heat pumps can be more expensive to install, they are many times more efficient than a furnace or a boiler and are a good option for homeowners wanting to invest in the future of their home.
Geothermal heat pumps are extremely long-lasting. The portion of your heat pump that is inside may need to be replaced after approximately 25 years, but the heat exchanger underground can last 50 years or more. The cost of this improvement will be offset within 10 years by energy savings and replacement cost savings. We can help you improve the efficiency of your home by more than 60% by installing this type of heating system in your home.
Types of Geothermal Heat Pumps
The type of geothermal heat pump that you have for your home will depend entirely on the amount of space you have and the natural landscape around you. Homes with a lot of space can install horizontal systems. These typically require more excavation but can also be more affordable to install. Other homes may have to use a vertical system. If your home is near a suitable lake or pond you may be able to have your system affordably installed in the body of water. Another more cost-effective option is the open-loop system. However, these systems can only be installed in areas with a lot of groundwater since warm water is taken directly from the ground and transferred into the heat pump. You can have a conversation with our technicians at Sitton Mechanical to find the right geothermal heating system for you.
Because geothermal heat pumps are more costly to install, it is important to have long-term goals in mind for your energy usage, overall cost savings, and the value of your home. Switching to geothermal heat pumps can increase the value of your home and make it more marketable for the future. If you are building a new home in Stillwater, you should consider a geothermal system because it is much easier to install during the construction process rather than later when you have spent time perfecting your landscaping.
While geothermal heat pump systems have been around for many years, they are just now gaining a foothold in the heating and cooling industry. There are many benefits to this type of system such as cost savings over time and longevity. If you are interested in learning more about geothermal heat pumps, call our team at Sitton Mechanical for additional information about our geothermal installation and repair services.