The energy consumption in homes is one of the most important challenges we are all facing today. On the one hand, bills are soaring every day and, on the other, the news about climate change is getting worse as time goes by. Faced with this situation, there is a fundamental factor that can be a large part of the solution to both problems: renewable energies. Have you thought about installing geothermal energy at home?Geothermal energy in a single-family house?
While it is true that we are talking about a high cost and that, beyond the price, it cannot be carried out in any place, it is an alternative to consider for those who have the possibility. In addition, by using geothermal energy at home, the investment is amortized in a few years while, as renewable energy, it helps us to reduce the environmental impact. We tell you more about this option.
What is geothermal energy?
To install geothermal energy at home it is important to first understand the concept. We are talking about a type of 100% renewable energy and, as its name suggests, it is extracted from the earth. That is, we are talking about taking advantage of the heat generated in the subsoil to control the ambient temperature in a house and generate hot water without electricity consumption and, most importantly, without pollution.
We are probably talking about one of the most efficient green energies that exist, since, from a natural resource, such as the earth’s temperature, we obtain what is necessary to operate the heater and the heating of an entire house.
How does a geothermal installation work?
Although there are different types of geothermal installations at home, such as vertical wells, groundwater collection or horizontal networks, the operation with respect to the house is always the same: it is essential to have a heat pump that is responsible for the temperature exchange, transferring the heat to the house through a closed circuit.
The difference between these types lies mainly in their installation. While horizontal networks require more land to be installed, vertical networks need less surface area and much greater depth – between 30 and 150 meters – to capture the earth’s heat. Finally, phreatic collectors would only be useful when there is a groundwater source with a constant flow, since it takes energy from the flow itself.
What can I use a geothermal installation at home?
As we mentioned before, geothermal energy is a perfect system to maintain at home such essential elements nowadays as heating and water heater. Taking into account that the underground temperature is higher than on the surface in winter and lower in summer, with the collaboration of the heat pump will always maintain a comfortable temperature in the house.
On the other hand, thanks to installing geothermal energy at home we can also save on the electricity bill for the water heater, since this system is also useful to generate hot water in an efficient and sustainable way. efficient and sustainable.
Requirements to install geothermal energy at home
The installation of a geothermal system at home is feasible as long as certain requirements are met. Obviously, with the exception of recent construction, which is specifically prepared to allow the modification, we are always talking about newly built homes. On the other hand, it is useful in both single-family homes and buildings, although the differences in the process and price are considerable.
If you are lucky enough to have a plot of land for the construction of a single-family house, to install geothermal energy at home you will need a space of about 180 m² for each 150 m² of living space approximately. If the extension is smaller, you can always opt for the vertical network, which is more complex and therefore more expensive, but still worthwhile.
Is it worth installing geothermal energy at home?
To answer this question without taking into account certain nuances would be bold and rash. The initial consideration, taking into account the savings on bills and the zero environmental impact that a geothermal installation at home can generate, is obvious: it is more than worth it.
If you stop to think about the details of the installation and the price of it, perhaps it would be necessary to analyze the personal situation of each one to decide if it is a suitable option. However, the best resource to answer this question is information, so we bring you the main advantages and disadvantages of installing geothermal energy at home. From here, it is up to you to decide.
Advantages of installing geothermal energy at home
The advantages of installing geothermal energy at home are numerous, so, below, we show you the most relevant and practical ones, so that they can help you make a decision in this regard:
- Geothermal energy is constant and inexhaustible, it does not depend on climatic circumstances, as is the case with photovoltaic or wind energy.
- It offers a system capable of cooling and heating at the same time. For example, generating hot water at the same time as it cools the house.
- It is one of the most durable systems.
- Maintenance costs are very low.
- Savings in energy bills for air conditioning and water heating can be up to 80%.
- Amortization of the invested budget is achieved in a relatively short period of time, between 5 and 7 years depending on the installation and use.
Disadvantages of installing geothermal energy at home
As for the disadvantages of using a geothermal system at home, we must highlight mainly three issues that have to do in any case with its installation:
- Installing geothermal energy at home involves a high cost, since we are talking about a complex system.
- Installation time is high, again due to its complexity.
- It is essential to have a considerable surface area to be able to adapt the system to the house.
Why install geothermal energy at home
We have exposed the advantages and disadvantages of installing geothermal energy at home, but the truth is that, if we analyze them one by one, the answer is that whenever you can afford it, it is worth doing it. Why? For the well-being of your family, for the economic savings and for environmental responsibility. In general, the first problem that arises is the economic one, and you can see that it pays off.
Maintaining a perfect and constant room temperature at home, being able to walk barefoot without getting cold and having hot water -to use it responsibly- without investing a euro in it seem enough reasons. So, as you can see, the benefit of installing geothermal energy at home is mutual between your home and the planet; go ahead with the use of renewable energies!
