How Geothermal Systems Work

A Geothermal system moves the heat from the earth, or a groundwater source, into the home through a heat pump/exchanger in winter and pulls the heat out of the house and discharges it into the ground in the summer. Underground piping loops serve as a heat source in the winter and a heat sink in the summer. A pump circulates temperature-sensitive fluid through the ground loop.

A few feet below the earth’s surface, the ground temperature remains at a relatively constant temperature. Depending on latitude, ground temperatures usually range from 45 degrees F to 75 degrees F (7 degrees C to 21 degrees C), even when temperatures outside can range from sub-zero in winter to scorching highs in summer. A GHP system can take advantage of this constant temperature by exchanging heat with the earth through a ground heat exchanger.

Click either 'Heating' or 'Cooling' below to see a Geothermal system in action.