Geothermal systems are the most energy-efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly heating and cooling options on the market. They provide air conditioning and heat in one system, without relying on non-renewable resources. Aspen Aire installs and repairs geothermal heat pumps in Ankeny, Des Moines and all of central Iowa.
A geothermal system captures free, renewable heat energy from the ground. About 47% of the sun’s energy that reaches Earth is absorbed by and stored in the ground. A geothermal system transfers heat energy between the ground and a home or other building.
A geothermal system uses a heat pump to move heat from the home and into the cooler earth during the summer, and from the ground into the home during winter.
This transfer of heat energy is done through a series of pipes that are buried in the ground or sunk in a pond, or by using well water. Because a geothermal system moves heat instead of burning a fossil fuel to generate heat, it's far more energy-efficient than a gas furnace.
The heat exchange pipes are buried in the ground below the frost line, usually about 6 to 10 feet deep. Refrigerant moves through these ground coils and deposits heat from inside the building when in cooling mode or absorbs heat from the ground when in heating mode.
Since the ground temperature stays relatively consistent at that depth, geothermal or ground source heat pumps operate more efficiently than standard air-source heat pumps, especially in winter.
Closed Loop
A closed loop geothermal system has 2 types of refrigerant: One that runs through ground loops and one that runs through the heat pump components inside the building. The refrigerant in the ground loops is a mix of water and anti-freeze that circulates in a closed cycle. The anti-freeze mixture passes through the ground loops and then enters a water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger inside the heat pump. There it either transfers heat to or absorbs heat from the indoor refrigerant, depending on whether it’s in heating or cooling mode. The indoor exchanger refrigerant is the same as that used in AC units.
The closed loop configuration can be horizontal, vertical or pond/lake:
Open Loop
An open loop geothermal heat pump, or open loop system, uses ground water in place of refrigerant in the loops. This type of system is less common than closed loop systems because there has to be easy access to a source of ground water. Your Aspen Aire technician will be able to tell you whether an open loop system would work for your property or if a closed loop system would be best.
While a geothermal heat pump is a larger upfront investment than other HVAC systems, with tax rebates and energy savings the system can pay for itself in as little as 5 years.
Heat pumps vary in efficiency just as air conditioners and furnaces do. To compare different models, check their SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) ratings.
Carrier Comfort™ Series Heat Pumps
Carrier Infinity Series Heat Pump
Carrier Infinity 20 Heat Pump with Greenspeed Intelligence
View the Carrier Geothermal Product Selection Guide
by Russell Holmes - 6/29/2017
I had my air conditioning go out during a VERY hot day in June, 2017. I called three places (all recommended). Aspen Aire called me back right away (much appreciated) and had a technician out within 2 or 3 hours. I was amazed as it was an extremely hot day and assumed they would be really busy (and they were).
(Oh - the other two places? One never called me back and the other called me a week later with apologizes - heh!)
After installing a new fan in my condenser unit, it was determined that was not the problem. Given that the unit was 20 years old I opted to replace it as well as the 20-year old furnace. They did not try to talk me into doing that but gave me options - I decided to go with a new AC and furnace unit combination. They did tell me my AC and furnace were probably on borrowed time but, again, they did not push me to replace them.
Long story short, within a few days they had replaced the air conditioning unit and furnace with two really nice units that have long, transferable warranties.
The men were very professional, extremely clean, most polite and a pleasure to have in and around my house.
If you are need of heating and cooling services, you will never find a better company than Aspen Aire. I do not say things just to be nice. In fact I am a rather hard customer to please (truth be told!). But my experience with Aspen Aire was beyond my highest expectations.
On one hand it was unfortunate when my air went out on a 90 plus degree day. On the other hand it turned out to be a good thing since my experience with this company was so good.
Testimonial provided by desmoinesheatingandair.com
by Russell Holmes - 6/29/2017
Des Moines, Iowa
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