Geothermal Energy

Hickory Withe Farm is equipped with a state-of-the-art open loop geothermal energy system. This highly efficient technology draws energy directly from a source of groundwater below the property, providing considerable savings on utilities.

Under the surface, groundwater remains at a relatively steady temperature year-round, no matter how high or low the temperature may be above ground.

An open loop geothermal system heats and cools the home by piping groundwater through a heat pump located inside the home. The system’s heat exchanger transfers energy between the water and the air indoors.
In the winter, a geothermal system heats the home. Groundwater passing through the system carries heat from the earth below. When the water flows through a heat pump located inside the home, its energy is transferred to the air indoors. The warm air then circulates through the ductwork of the house, providing heat throughout the entire home.

In the summer, the system works in reverse to cool the home. The heat pump’s heat exchanger draws warmth from the air indoors. This heat is then transferred to the water passing through the pipes. Since it is comparatively cooler underground in the summer, the water in the system will absorb the home’s excess heat, keeping the house cool in the warmer months.

An open loop system makes use of clean groundwater drawn from a local source. After the water passes through the pipes and exchanges heat with the home, it is expelled by the system. Hickory Withe Farm’s geothermal system deposits its water directly into the property’s lake.