While outdoor temperatures fluctuate with the seasons, underground temperatures do not. Animals use this principal, and burrow into the ground in order to escape winter's cold and summer's heat. Underground they are able to enjoy relatively stable temperatures compared to the air temperature. In fact, four to six feet below the earth's surface, temperatures remain moderate and constant year-round approximately 45°F - 58°F. This is because our earth's interior, like the sun (47% of the sun's energy is absorbed into the earth), provides heat. This heat originates from the earth's fiery consolidation of dust and gas over 4 billion years ago. Heat from the earth's core continuously flows outward. It transfers to the surrounding layer of rock called the mantle. When temperatures and pressures become high enough, some mantle rock melts, becoming magma. Then, because it is lighter and less dense than the surrounding rock, the magma rises, moving slowly up toward the earth's crust, carrying the heat from below. Sometimes the hot magma reaches all the way to the surface, where we know it as lava. But most often the magma remains below the earth's crust, heating nearby rock and water (rainwater that has seeped deep into the earth).

While there are concentrated areas of geothermal reservoirs throughout the world you do not have to be located near one. The earth's temperature a few feet below the ground surface is relatively constant everywhere in the world. WaterFurnace geothermal systems tap into this with closed or open loop systems. Closed loops are made of durable, high-density polyethylene pipe. The pipe is buried below the earth or submerged in a lake or pond. Open loops use ground water pumped from a well as a heat source. The type of loop you would choose depends on the size of your land, type of terrain, and cost. Please call or email us to set up an appointment. A rep will meet and review with you which options would best work for your particular situation. The following loop configurations are available.