Geothermal

Geothermal heating and cooling systems utilize ground-source heat pumps to take advantage of the renewable energy that is naturally stored in the earth.  The system works by transferring heat between the ground and your home, taking advantage of the near constant temperature of the earth.  In the winter, the ground energy is transferred from the earth into your home.  In the summer the process is reversed, and the heat inside your home is rejected into the ground.  It works similar to air source heat pump systems, but much more efficiently due to the stable earth temperature.  It is much more difficult for an air source heat pump to extract heat from very cold air in the winter, or to reject heat in to the hot outdoor air in the summer (as opposed to the 55 deg F earth below ground during all seasons for geothermal).

Some of the benefits of geothermal heating and cooling systems designed by Encon energy:

1. Reduces Carbon Footprint:  The total carbon emissions that are due to your personal consumption of energy are significantly reduced.
2. Lowers Operating Costs:  The annual energy cost savings can be expected to be in the 25-60% range as compared with various other conventional heating and cooling methods.
3. Quieter Operation:  A properly designed geothermal system is often quieter inside your home than many other types of heating and cooling systems.
4. Lower Maintenance:  The ground heat exchanger itself requires almost no maintenance.  The system as a whole has fewer mechanical components that need maintenance compared to many fossil fuel systems.
5. Longer Life Expectancy:  The geothermal transfer system (underground outside of your home) is a lifetime installation.  The water source heat pumps can be expected to last longer than many conventional heating and air conditioning systems.
6. More Attractive:  There are usually no visible components located outside of the home or building.
7. Environmentally Friendly:  There are no burning fuels or emissions coming from your home.  The heat pumps also utilize environmentally safe R-410A refrigerant that will not damage the earth's ozone layer.
8. Consistent Home Temperatures:  Longer run times for geothermal systems tend to eliminate short blasts of hot air that are often experienced with a typical fossil fuel heating system.

The installation cost for geothermal energy is typically more than for a conventional high efficiency type heating and cooling system.  However, there are many benefits that can make geothermal a sensible and worthwhile investment.  With the 30% tax incentive considered and the cost difference financed, the net result can actually be positive monthly cash flow by choosing the geothermal system.

Geothermal systems are an appropriate source for more than basic forced air heating and cooling.  Radiant floor heating, outdoor snowmelt systems, domestic (tap) hot water heating, swimming pool heating and other more sophisticated applications can be implemented utilizing the energy mined from your geothermal energy system. Encon is the leader with extensive experience in these various types of applications in fine custom homes throughout Farifield, New Haven and Westchester counties and nearby areas in NY and CT.