Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Energy in Northern Virginia

Geothermal energy is energy harnessed inside the earth. Energy can be utilized by a natural process of heat transfer, to and from the earth. This energy can heat or cool your home and businesses at a fraction of the cost compared to a fossil fuel burning or electric appliance. Heat is continuously produced deep inside the earth, in the core, making it an “inexhaustible resource”. This is an environmentally-conscious source of energy, and it drastically reduces the use of electricity and eliminates fossil fuels to generate heating and cooling. It is a budget-conscious choice for the same reason.

We are experts in the use of heat pumps driven by geothermal energy. Call 703-COMFORT/703-266-3678 for a free estimate.

“Geo” means earth, and “thermal” means heat. This term has originated from the Greeks. Thermal energy within the earth has been around for as long as the earth has been. It can be steam (such as a geyser); hot water (such as warm springs); and now there is innovative technology that extracts and transfers the warmth itself – a geothermal heat pump.

Geothermal energy heat pumps transfer heat from the ground into buildings in winter and reverse the process in the summer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), geothermal heat pumps are the most energy efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective systems for temperature control.

How geothermal energy is produced:

Decomposing radioactive particles in the earth’s core produce non-stop temperatures hotter than the sun. Approximately every 300 feet down, the temperature goes up 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit. At 10,000 feet below the earths surface, the temperature is hot enough to boil water.

While outdoor temperatures change from season to season, just 10 feet below the surface, the temperature is constantly between 50° and 60°. Tapping into this natural resource with a heat pump delivers heating for your home or business in winter. During summer, warm indoor air is captured from inside the home or business and returned to the earth by the same heat pump. The energy is “free” and replaces expensive electricity, oil or gas.

Geothermal energy was tapped by ancient Romans, Chinese, and Native Americans who used hot mineral springs for bathing, cooking, and heating. These waters are rich in minerals and some today think they have healing powers. People around the world use underground energy to heat their homes by digging deep wells and pumping out the heated underground water or steam. Hot water near the surface is being pumped directly into office and industrial buildings in entire districts of some cities. A system in Reykjavik Iceland heats 95% of the buildings in one sector of the city.

The three main uses of geothermal energy are:

  • Direct use of hot water reservoirs underground for heating (such as in Iceland)
  • Electricity generation power plants using water or steam from deeper reservoirs a mile or two down (there are 34 in California and 16 in Nevada)
  • Geothermal heat pumps using the stable ground temperatures nearest the surface to control building temperatures

GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS ARE ENERGY EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE

The federal government is encouraging the use of geothermal heat pumps. A system with the ENERGY STAR® label entitles the consumer to a tax credit. Geothermal heating and cooling uses 25-50% less electricity compared with conventional systems. A very small amount of electricity is needed to transfer the heat to and from the earth.

To tap geothermal energy at your home or commercial property, we bury a coil, or “loop” underground. The depth is determined by the geological conditions on your property. A pump moves water through the loop and transfers the heat around. Standard ductwork distributes it indoors. In most cases, duct modifications will be needed, however we custom fabricate all of our metal to make the new connections.

Put the natural wonder of geothermal energy to work for you. Call 703-COMFORT/703-266-3678 for a free estimate.

We offer geothermal energy in Alexandria, Arlington, McLean, Fairfax, and all surrounding cities.

2024 Carrier President's Award

We have been awarded the 2024 Carrier President’s Award. This is Carrier’s highest honor and is presented to an elite group of Carrier Factory Authorized Dealers who have achieved excellence. We exemplify our company’s model for customer satisfaction, operational excellence, business effectiveness and delivering the best in cutting edge technology to our consumers.

- 3 Levels of Service Agreements with discounts

- Energy audits for your home or office

- We service ALL brands of heating and A/C units

Award Winning Service

Winner of Carrier’s highest honor with the 2024 Carrier Presidents Award.

Highly Trained Techs

Our technicians are trained in the latest technology to save you money and increase the life of your HVAC unit

Licence & Insured

Our service team is licensed and insured for your protection on every job we perform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I install a Humidifier?

There are many reasons to install a humidifier. One is to keep you from getting sick. Have you ever noticed that we tend to get sicker in the winter than in the summer? This is not because it is cold outside (actually there are fewer viruses in the winter than in the summer). This is a result of your body’s membranes drying and cracking which allows a direct channel for viruses to enter the blood stream. Other reasons are to reduce dry itchy skin, static electricity and to protect wood, furnishings and musical instruments in your home. Also, by adding a humidifier, it allows you to remain comfortable at lower temperatures, which lowers your utility costs.