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Geothermal is a Greek word meaning heat from within the earth. Steam and hot water produced inside the earth can be harnessed to generate heat and electricity. Geothermal energy is a renewable alternative energy source because the water is replenished by rainfall and the heat is continuously produced inside the earth. 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. (Energy Information Administration) Heat Rite sells and installs Water Furnace's Envision Series Premium Comfort System because of it's reputation as the best application for flexibilyty, comfort, and reliability. Envision also brings energy savings of up to 70% to the table. Learn more about Envision for your home. |
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While above-ground temperatures fluctuate, the upper 10 feet of the earth's surface does not. It holds temperatures nearly constant (between 50 and 60° F).
For most areas, this means that soil temperatures are usually warmer than the air in winter and cooler than the air in summer. Geothermal heat pumps use the earth's constant temperatures to heat and cool buildings. They transfer heat from the ground (or water) into buildings in winter and reverse the process in the summer.
A water-source heat pump uses the available heat in the winter and puts heat back into the ground in the summer. A geothermal heat pump system uses the earth's ability to store heat in the ground to provide your home or office with central heating and cooling.
You already have a heat pump in your home: your refrigerator. If you put your hand behind the refrigerator, you'll feel the heat that has been pumped from the inside. A geothermal heat pump uses the same principle. 
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Geothermal Cooling: Geothermal heat pumps are similar to ordinary heat pumps, but they use the ground instead of outside air to provide air conditioning. In the summer, the heat pump extracts heat from the conditioned space and sends it out to the earth loop to warm the relatively cool ground. In the cooling mode, a water furnace's geothermal system conditions your home by reversing the heating process. Instead of extracting heat from the ground, it is extracted from your home and either moved back into the earth loop or used to preheat the water in your hot water tank. Once the heat is removed from the air, it is distributed through the duct system in your home. |
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Geothermal Heating: In the winter, the cooling process described earlier is reversed. The heat pump extracts heat from the relatively warm ground, usually warmer than the outdoor cold air, and pumps this heat into the conditioned space. During the heating cycle, the water furnace's geothermal system uses the earth loop to extract heat from the ground. As the system pulls heat from the loop, it distributes it through a conventional duct system as warm air. The same heat energy can also be used for a radiant floor system or domestic hot water heating. |
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WaterFurnace geothermal heating and cooling products are among the most efficient, energy-saving, environmental heat pumps you can purchase. They are a natural heat pump that will give you years of reliable, safe home comfort at a low cost.
Geothermal Tax Credits
An exciting new tax credit is now available for home and commercial building owners who install geothermal heating and cooling systems through the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424). H.R. 1424 offers a one time tax credit of 30% of the total investment (maximum of $2,000 for a single residence) for all residential ground loop or ground water geothermal heat pump installations. A credit of 10% of the total investment is also available (no maximum) for a commercial system installation. See waterfurnace.com for more information.
Lower Operating Cost
A WaterFurnace geothermal heat pump system operates more efficiently than ordinary heating and air conditioning systems because it can deliver an astounding five units of energy for every one unit of electrical energy used. By combining stored earth energy with safe electric power, many WaterFurnace owners realize savings up to 70% for heating, cooling, and hot water.
Enhanced Comfort
Our geothermal systems provide precise distribution of comfortable air all year long, eliminating hot spots and cold spots. During heating, you'll experience warm air without the hot blasts associated with ordinary gas furnaces, or the cooler air of an air source heat pump. Additionally, when cooling, our geothermal units deliver cool, dehumidified air.
Quiet
Unlike ordinary air conditioners or heat pumps, there is no noisy outdoor unit to disturb your outdoor environment or your neighbors. WaterFurnace units are designed and constructed for "whisper quiet" operation, similar to your refrigerator.
Reliable
Unlike air conditioners and heat pumps, geothermal units are installed indoors (like your refrigerator), so they are not subject to wear and tear caused by rain, snow, ice, debris, extreme temperatures or vandalism. Geothermal units have proven to be very reliable and require less maintenance.
Environmentally Friendly
According to the Department of Energy and the EPA, geothermal systems are the most environmentally friendly way to heat and cool your home. Our systems emit no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or other greenhouse gasses, which are considered to be major contributors to environmental air pollution. They are truly a natural, green heat pump.
A Green Building Report
This report summarizes some of these advances and explain the role that a high-efficiency, environmentally friendly geothermal or water-source heating and cooling system from WaterFurnace International can play in designing a green building.
It will also briefly explain the LEED Green Building
Rating System program from the U. S. Green Building Council, and how
WaterFurnace can help you achieve LEED certification. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.
The Business Case for Green Buildings*
- In the event that up-front costs are higher, they can be recovered through lower operating costs.
- Integrating design features lowers ongoing operating costs.
- Better buildings equate to better employee productivity.
- New technologies enhance health and well-being.
- Healthier buildings can reduce liability.
- Tenant costs can be reduced significantly.
- Property value will increase.
- Financial incentive programs are available for green buildings.
- Communities will notice your efforts.
- Using best practices yields more predictable results.
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A "Down to Earth" Comfort SystemBeyond the undeniable benefits to the earths environment, it's reassuring to know that going green is not solely for the rich and trendy anymore. The initial difference between WaterFurnace's Envision geothermal system and a new conventional heating/cooling system is small. It's basically the cost of the well for the geothermal system. However, you would soon recoup that cost because you would never need to buy heating fuel again. WaterFurnace geothermal heating and cooling will save you money, reduce your energy use and keep the environment cleaner for your family and your community. It’s the most cost-effective, energy efficient and environmentally friendly method of heating and cooling your home available today. This booklet will help explain how WaterFurnace can accomplish all this – and how you can reduce your utility bills by up to 60% today and for many years to come.
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