Homeowners are often familiar with furnaces, central air conditioning systems, heat pumps, and boilers. However, they’re typically less familiar with geothermal heating and cooling systems. While less popular than other types of HVAC systems, geothermal units excel at providing Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati homeowners with effective and efficient temperatures all year long.

In the latest blog post from Rusk Heating & Cooling, we’ll discuss geothermal heating and cooling systems in more detail, including what they are, their benefits, and if they require ductwork, to help you determine if these systems are right for you.

How Do Geothermal Heat Pumps Work?

Geothermal HVAC systems push water or refrigerant through underground pipes to transfer heat to or away from the home, depending on the season.

In the winter, the liquid within the pipes collects geothermal energy from the ground, where the temperature typically remains around 55°F. This heats the liquid, allowing it to then be pumped back to a heat exchanger within the home, which can distribute warm temperatures throughout your home.

During the summer, the process is essentially reversed. The liquid within the pipes will collect heat from your home and send it back towards the ground, cooling your home. This process is repeated as frequently as needed in order to cool your home down and maintain the set temperature.

The Benefits of Geothermal HVAC Systems

Ground source heat pumps are typically more expensive to install than other types of HVAC systems, as the installation process is more intrusive and complex. However, geothermal systems also provide many benefits that other systems are typically not as capable of, including:

  • Lower heating and cooling costs
  • Long-term savings
  • More efficient heating and cooling
  • Longer system lifespan
  • Greater comfort
  • Safe and clean to operate
  • Infrequent maintenance required
  • Increased home value

While installing a geothermal heat pump can seem like a foreign concept, the benefits are plentiful. Contact Rusk Heating & Cooling today to learn more about the geothermal heating and cooling process, or to schedule an installation in Northern Kentucky or the Greater Cincinnati area.

Do Geothermal HVAC Systems Need Ductwork?

Because geothermal systems operate similarly to a standard air source heat pump, they will also require ductwork in order to evenly distribute warm or cooled air throughout your home. If your home currently has a duct system in place, the same one is likely compatible with geothermal heat pumps.

However, for homes without existing ductwork in place, you’ll need to have geothermal ductwork installed as part of your geothermal heat pump system installation process.

Contact Rusk Heating & Cooling for Geothermal Heat Pump System Installation

At Rusk Heating & Cooling, we’re passionate about helping homeowners stay safe and comfortable in their homes. One of the best ways to do so is with geothermal heat pumps. We understand that homeowners are often less familiar with these systems than with other HVAC models, which is why we’re happy to discuss these systems in detail with you. If you have any questions about geothermal systems, or you’d like to schedule an appointment for geothermal services in the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati areas, contact Rusk today.