Do Geothermal Systems Dehumidify the Air?

Do you know what a geothermal system is? Or how it works? Among the various types of HVAC systems available on the market today, few are as energy efficient as a geothermal heat pump. This is an important consideration for any homeowners, especially in the Raleigh area where high heat and humidity levels keep your cooling system busy. But homeowners who already own a geothermal system as well as those curious about its technology may have some questions about how it works. For example, do geothermal systems dehumidify the air like central air conditioning systems do?

One of the essential processes of cooling air involves dehumidification. In an ordinary air conditioner, this process occurs in the indoor unit. When cool, liquid refrigerant arrives at the evaporator coil, it cools the warm air extracted from the inside of your home by the blower motor. When the air cools, the water vapor in the air condenses on the exterior surface of the coils and collects the condensate drain pan. The cooled and dehumidified air then returns to your living space. However, the dehumidification is not always enough to cut the humidity in our service area.

A geothermal heat pump works similarly to an ordinary air-source heat pump in that it can both cool and heat your home throughout the year, but it uses a series of underground piping circulating anti-freeze to warm or cool the air, depending on what is needed. However, the moderate temperature cooling that is produced by a geothermal heat pump will not be able to combat the high humidity levels alone in some cases, which is why a whole-house dehumidifier might be necessary. This device is integrated directly with your ductwork and affects all of the air in your home. It is highly efficient and can make your home a more comfortable place to live.

Call Raleigh Heating & Air today for all of your Cary, NC geothermal needs. We can make sure that your geothermal system is well taken care of.