4 Types of Geothermal HVAC Systems for Your Murrells Inlet, SC Home

October 22, 2019

Geothermal HVAC systems are very similar to conventional heat pumps, but they transfer heat to or from the soil or a nearby body of water instead of the outdoor air. Since ground and water temperatures don’t change as much with the seasons, geothermal HVAC systems are more efficient. They can lower your utility bills and increase the value of your Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, home. You can choose a horizontal, vertical, closed-loop, or open-loop geothermal system.

Horizontal Systems

Most geothermal heat pumps use several hundred feet of horizontal pipes that are filled with water or refrigerant and buried in trenches in your yard. They work well for new construction, but they require digging in a large area. Installing them could damage the landscaping in an existing home.

Vertical Systems

Vertical geothermal systems use pipes inside holes that are a few inches wide and a few hundred feet deep. Horizontal pipes called manifolds connect the vertical pipes. Vertical systems don’t need as much space as horizontal ones, and they won’t damage your landscaping as much. However, they’re more costly and installing them in rocky soil isn’t practical.

Closed Loops

With most geothermal systems, water or refrigerant circulates through the pipes in a closed loop. You can install these pipes underneath your floors or behind your baseboards to make heating your home easier and increase your comfort.

Open Loops

An open loop uses water from a nearby well, lake, or pond. After it circulates through the pipes, it returns to the source, forming an open loop. Installing underwater pipes is less expensive than burying them, and you can use an open-loop system as a water heater as well.

Air Doctor Services, Inc. is a Trane Comfort Specialist, and we received the Angie’s List Super Service Award in 2016. We can help you choose and install the best geothermal system for your home. For outstanding, friendly service from our experts, call us anytime at 843-305-8824.

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