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At
Carolina Heating Service we have extensive experience in all four types of geothermal
loops. After sizing a system for your home we would determine which loop type would be
best for you. |
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How
does a Geothermal system work? |
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Throughout
the year, outdoor temperatures fluctuate with the changing seasons. However, underground
temperatures do not. In fact, about four to six feet below the earth's surface,
temperatures remain relatively constant year-round. A Geothermal system, which consists of
an indoor unit and a buried earth loop, capitalizes on these constant temperatures.
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In
the winter, fluid circulating through the system's earth loop absorbs stored heat and
carries it indoors. The indoor unit compresses the heat to a higher temperature and
distributes it throughout the building. In the summer, the system reverses, pulling heat
from the building, carrying through the earth loop and depositing it in the cooler earth. |
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What
makes a Geothermal system different from conventional systems? |
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A
Geothermal system utilizes the energy from the sun, which is stored in the earth, to heat
and cool homes and buildings. Typically, electric power is used only to operate the unit's
fan, compressor and pump. So, unlike conventional systems, Geothermal systems do not burn
fossil fuel to generate heat--they simply transfer heat to and from the earth. |
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How
efficient is a Geothermal system? |
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A
Geothermal system is more than three times as efficient as the most efficient conventional
system. Because Geothermal systems do not burn combustible fuel to make heat, they provide
three to four units of energy for every one unit used to power the system. |
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What does Geothermal mean to the environment?
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Because
Geothermal systems work with nature, not against it, they minimize the threats of acid
rain, air pollution and the greenhouse effect. An environmentally friendly fluid is used
in the closed, continuous loop. |
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Do
Geothermal systems require much maintenance? |
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No.
In fact, Geothermal systems are practically maintenance free. When installed properly, the
buried loop will last for generations. And the other half of the operation--the unit's
fan, compressor and pump--is housed indoors, protected from the harsh weather conditions.
Usually, periodic checks and filter changes are the only required maintenance. |
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