Tag Archives: energy consumption

geothermal heating system | Keith Air Conditioning

6 Ways to Get Comfortable With Geothermal Heating

comfort woman

From cost savings to improved comfort to environmental sustainability, geothermal heating systems offer a host of benefits. Learn the many ways a geothermal heating system can help you to achieve optimal comfort in your Mobile, Alabama, home.

Lower Energy Consumption

One of the greatest benefits of a geothermal heating system is that it can keep you and your family comfortable while using much less energy than a traditional heating system. Unlike air-source heat pumps, which rely on cold outdoor air as an exchange medium, ground-source pumps benefit from relatively stable underground temperatures.

Standard heat pumps might be energy efficient, but the Department of Energy (DOE) estimates they achieve up to 250 percent efficiency on chilly winter days. In contrast, geothermal pumps reach up to 600 percent efficiency even on freezing winter nights. Altogether, geothermal heat pumps use about 50 percent less energy than traditional heating systems do, which means they can significantly lower your household energy consumption.

Significant Cost Savings

The relatively high upfront costs of geothermal heating systems, which can easily top $10,000, are enough to intimidate some homeowners. However, when they calculate the system’s total cost and energy consumption over time, most homeowners realize geothermal heating systems actually offer significant savings.

In fact, the DOE estimates that even with the installation cost and the unit purchase price, you can recover your original investment in as little as two years. Since this cost recovery depends largely on utility savings, in some situations, it can take up to 10 years for you to recoup your costs. In either case, you have the opportunity to earn back your investments at least a decade before you’ll need to start planning for a system replacement.

Environmental Sustainability

Geothermal energy is an environmentally friendly choice for several reasons. In addition to using less energy overall, geothermal heating systems generate far fewer emissions. In fact, geothermal energy doesn’t produce any carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, or other harmful gases that lead to air pollution.

Because they work well with zoning systems, geothermal heating systems can also ensure you don’t waste energy, even on the hottest or coldest days. Zoning systems allow you to cool or heat select rooms and areas in your home, so there’s no need to use extra energy conditioning your entire home.

Longer Lifespan

Some HVAC system components require regular replacement and even more frequent maintenance to run smoothly. Geothermal heat systems, however, don’t fall into this category.

Once installed, these heating systems rarely require maintenance, and they can keep your family cozy and warm almost without a second thought. Since geothermal heating systems have few moving parts, they are far less susceptible to breakdowns. Because the geothermal components do not reside outdoors where they are exposed to the elements, they also tend to be much more durable. In fact, the piping networks integral to geothermal heating systems can last up to 50 years. Moreover, most geothermal heat pumps last for at least 20 years.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

Many Alabama homeowners struggle with moisture levels in their homes, no matter the season. Geothermal heat pumps solve this problem by easily maintaining comfortable 50 percent humidity levels throughout the home. Not only will this increase your family’s comfort, but it will also improve indoor air quality. Overly humid air can cause dust mites, mold, and bacteria to thrive; managing indoor moisture levels leads to much healthier and more breathable air.

Unobtrusive Operation

If you’ve ever found a standard air conditioner to be overly loud or disruptive, you’ll be relieved to know that geothermal heating systems are celebrated for their unobtrusive operation. Because most of the system parts are located underground, with only a small, discreet indoor unit, they take up only a fraction of the indoor space that a traditional heating or cooling system uses.

Since geothermal heating systems don’t rely on large exterior units, they are also remarkably quiet, even when operating at full speed. This means your family can comfortably enjoy outdoor and indoor activities without the loud hum of an air conditioner in the background.

Ready to make the switch to geothermal energy? Call our geothermal heating experts at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. today at 251-476-3610.

Effectively Using Your Heat Pump | Keith Air Conditioning

Save Energy by Effectively Using Your Heat Pump

home thermostat

Whether you need cooling or heating, you can control indoor temperatures year-round with a heat pump. In the winter months, a heat pump for your Mobile, Alabama home can provide the efficient and cost-effective heating you need. To keep your energy consumption low all winter long, try these three tips for effectively using your heat pump.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

By converting from a standard thermostat to a programmable model, you can make a huge impact on your home’s energy consumption. These programmable devices allow you to set comfortable temperatures during the time the family is at home and then turn the thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees while you are sleeping or away from home. Just by making this small change, you can save up to 15 percent on your heating bill each year. When you are shopping for a programmable thermostat, be sure to select one that has multi-stage settings for heat pumps.

Your Heat Pump Manages Humidity

Maintaining comfortable humidity levels is a constant struggle in Alabama, but heat pumps like the Infinity 20 with Greenspeed intelligence usually do remarkably well at moderating humidity. It is beneficial to have a system that controls temperature and efficiently regulates humidity as well. This helps with better management of indoor air quality.

Change Air Filters Frequently

Overworking your heat pump and causing it to run inefficiently can lead to serious energy loss. To ensure that your HVAC system does not get clogged with dirt and debris, be sure to change the air filters regularly. It is best to replace or change filters as soon as they become dirty. How often you need to do this depends on the type of filter you use. Some filters need to be replaced monthly — others, every three months. You will also need to change them regularly during seasons of heavy use.

Need more tips for optimizing your heat pump? Contact the heating professionals at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. at 251-476-3610 for more advice.