Geothermal Water Heaters: Should You Get One?
The water heater is one of those electrical appliances that are often overlooked in homes, right until there is a blackout and the temperature is 23°F outside. Having to take a shower in the extreme cold can be quite traumatizing.
It isn’t just showers that demand hot water. There are plenty of other appliances in a home that rely on hot water, such as the dishwasher, or the washing machine. With all the hot water-reliant appliances that are present in a modern home, the electricity bill would only keep on mounting.
Geothermal water heaters will cut down electricity bills spent on heating water. While the installation of a geothermal water heater may be costly, this will cause a massive change in how much money you spend every month paying bills. It doesn’t hurt when nature pays your bills does it?
The most important part is where you are investing in not only clean energy but helping the planet be a better place in the upcoming future. The environmental impacts can be reduced by using renewable energy rather than gas or electricity-powered heaters that have major impacts on our environment.
What is a Geothermal Water Heater?
Geothermal water heaters use the earth’s thermal energy to heat water. Geothermal water heaters work by using the earth’s natural heat to heat up water. By tapping into the earth’s natural energy, geothermal systems can provide a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option for heating your water. Here are some of the benefits of geothermal water heaters!
- Sustainability
- Geothermal systems use less energy than other forms of heating, so they are more environmentally friendly.
- Efficiency
- Geothermal systems are more efficient than traditional electric or gas heating systems, meaning you will save money on your energy bill.
- Reliability
- Geothermal systems are highly reliable since they are immune to blackouts. Also, they typically have a longer lifespan than electric or gas heating systems.
How do geothermal water heaters work?
A geothermal water heater is not a standalone heater similar to your regular electric water heater. Rather, a geothermal water heater relies on a geothermal heat pump for all its heating prowess.
A geothermal heat pump is buried a few feet underground and consists of loops that circulate liquid (water mixed with anti-freeze). When the heating cycle initiates, heat is extracted from the earth (you can read more about Earth’s natural heat here), which is then transferred to the space you’re trying to heat up.
The heat is then compressed and transported through a tube to the heat pump. The water heater is powered by a portion of the heat distributed through the heat pump, with the collected heat going towards heating your home. The component used to power this process is dubbed the “desuperheater”. Regardless of the season and in what mode the heat pump is operating in, a portion of the heat is distributed to the water heater, ensuring that your water remains warm across the seasons.
Benefits of a Geothermal Water Heater
Geothermal water heaters are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their various amount of benefits. Here you go with the four major ones
1. They’re environment-friendly. Geothermal water heaters use the Earth’s heat to produce hot water, which makes them a much more environmentally friendly option than traditional heating systems.
2. They’re energy-efficient. Geothermal systems don’t draw electricity from the grid to heat water. Instead, they use a large amount of free energy from below the earth’s surface. This will cut down on electricity bills spent by traditional heating systems, making them a cost-effective solution
3. They’re comfortable. Geothermal water heaters tend to be very comfortable, providing plenty of warmth without being too hot or too cold.
4. They’re reliable. Geothermal systems are extremely reliable, meaning that you won’t have to worry about them breaking down often or costing you a lot of money in repairs.
What to look for when purchasing a geothermal water heater
When purchasing a geothermal water heater, there are a few things you should look for. First and foremost, make sure the heater has been tested and meets the required safety standards. Second, make sure you know the size of your home in order to choose an appropriate model. Lastly, be sure to budget for the installation costs as they can be quite high.
Maintaining a geothermal water heater will help reduce costs in the long run, it helps you avoid major malfunctions if the minor problems are diagnosed and fixed early on. Most system owners tend to overlook the importance of maintaining and checking the system and end up paying massive bills for it.
Installation and Use of a Geothermal Water Heater
If you’re considering installing a geothermal water heater, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, make sure your property has the right geology and temperature gradient to support the installation.
Second, be sure to get an accurate estimate of the installation cost from a qualified contractor.
Third, be sure to read the manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully before starting work.
Fourth, be sure to test your heater periodically to ensure that it’s working properly – an overheated tank can cause serious damage.
Conclusion
Getting a geothermal water heater may be the best decision you ever make for your home. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but they also provide consistently hot water without the need for extra energy or maintenance. Oh haven’t we mentioned it? They save large on electricity bills.
Instead of having its own heating system, a geothermal water heater relies on a geothermal heat pump to heat water. It harnesses nature energy and helps create a sustainable environment for the present and the future.
Geothermal water heaters may be costly to install, but they are definitely worth it in the long run. The longer you stick through with this system the better impact it has on the environment and will help you profit from your investment in the future.