Geothermal, Ground Source Heat

Controlled Air Inc. — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 18:20:27 +0000

Ground source heat pump tax credits were recently reinstated for the current tax year through Jan. 1, 2022. The tax credit applies to residential and commercial installations of Ground Source Heat Pumps.

Ground source heating is a renewable and reliable source of heat. The earth absorbs the suns energy and at a depth of 6 feet the soil maintains a more consistent temperature year round. We can use this natural energy to heat and cool water circulated through an underground loop. Closed loop systems can be water-based or refrigerant-based. During the winter, the fluid collects heat from the earth and carries it through the system and into the building. Conversely, in summer, the relatively cool ground absorbs waste heat more readily than warm outdoor air.

Controlled Air, Inc. is certified and accredited by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association for ground source heat pump installations.

Ground Source Heat Pumps offer great benefits (Information provided by IGSHPA.)

Simultaneously heat & cool different parts of the same building
Very quiet–users do not know when the system is operating
Can be set up in multiple zones, with each zone having an individual room control
Greater freedoms in building design due to 50-80% less mechanical room space
No outside equipment to hide, eliminating vandalism and roof top units
Pipes have 50-year life expectancy
All electric, which eliminates multiple utility services
Expel boiler and chiller maintenance
Ground heat exchanger is maintenance free and will last 40+ years

Geothermal in Connecticut

Right now rebates of $500 to $1,500 per ton are available for qualifying systems provided by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund. Please visit Energize CT Geothermal Heat Pump Rebates page to learn more.

Geothermal energy is listed as a Class I renewable energy source as defined in the Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) Section 16-1(a)(26)(iv).

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Geothermal Heating & Cooling

Controlled Air Inc. — Fri, 13 May 2011 16:11:01 +0000

Geothermal is a fascinating energy efficient form of heating and cooling that does not seem to get as much press as solar or even cogeneration. Geothermal energy is a renewable and reliable source of heat. Because 46 percent of solar energy is absorbed by the earth, at a depth of approximately six feet, the soil maintains a consistent average temperature of between 42-77 degrees Fahrenheit year round.

Geothermal heat pumps use this natural energy to heat and cool water circulated through an underground loop. In the winter the water is run through the loop underground and is warmed by the earth’s heat and then brought to the system in the building that then delivers the heat. It is much easier for the system to capture heat from soil of a moderate temperature than from the frigid air outside in winter. In the summer the heat is gather from inside the building and then run underground where the heat is absorbed by the earth and then cooler water is then brought back to the system to create cool air. Conversely, in summer, the relatively cool ground absorbs waste heat more readily than warm outdoor air.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal energy is the most energy-efficient system of air handling and can lower energy costs by 25 to 40 percent, with fewer emissions, lower maintenance and no danger of underground contaminants. There is also a reduced use of refrigerants.
One very important aspect of Geothermal heating and cooling is the system which controls it. Just like any other form of heating and cooling it needs strict controls to run at optimum efficiency. Not too long ago we got a new customer with a geothermal system where the controls were never set up properly. This meant that the system ran inefficiently and the utility bills were extremely high. It they finely got so fed up that they sought us out. We designed and installed a custom controls system for the geothermal system they already had installed, allowing great control and efficiency. So with that being said it is not enough just to install an “energy efficient” form of heating and cooling if it is not done properly.

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geothermal Archives | Controlled Air

Geothermal, Ground Source Heat

Ground Source Heat Pumps offer great benefits (Information provided by IGSHPA.)

Geothermal in Connecticut

Geothermal Heating & Cooling