Geothermal replaces traditional furnaces and air conditioners – for good reason.
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are most
popular due to the low operating costs in
the initial purchasing process. Most homeowner’s
purchase the system for the operating
costs savings, but once they system is installed,
they notice an additional benefit, improved
comfort. In heating, geothermal heat pumps
provide warmer air temperatures (typically 95-
105°F, 35-41°C) than conventional air source heat
pumps (85-95°F, 29-35°C), but because
they are sized to run significantly more than a
fossil fuel (natural gas, fuel oil or propane)
furnace, they don’t “blast” hot air followed by an
extended time when air is not being
circulated. The steady, warm air provided by a
geothermal heat pump provides the
most comfortable heating system available. In
cooling, a geothermal heat pump provides
better dehumidification than conventional air
conditioning systems, causing the indoor
humidity to be lower, thus more comfortable. This
makes a geothermal unit the
most comfortable cooling system available.
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Why choose Geothermal?
Geothermal systems will reduce monthly heating and cooling bills up to 70% over traditional HVAC systems. With geothermal, you do not have to worry about the volatile swings associated with fossil fuel costs.
Geothermal systems will reduce monthly heating and cooling bills up to 70% over traditional HVAC systems. With geothermal, you do not have to worry about the volatile swings associated with fossil fuel costs.
The average life expectancy of a geothermal system is nearly 25 years compared to the 13 year average life expectancy of traditional furnaces and air conditioners. The ground loop powering the geothermal system lasts 100 years plus!
Geothermal systems have less maintenance costs when compared to traditional HVAC. This is due to geothermal equipment being kept indoors and not outside, exposed to the elements. Additionally, geothermal systems have fewer moving parts, which makes for less opportunity for a malfunction.
Studies show that homes with energy-efficient features sell for as much as 40% more than expected. So, even if you aren't planning on staying in your home for the lifetime of the system, you can get more money for your room if it has a geothermal system in it, as opposed to a oil or gas furnace.
Geothermal systems have an efficiency rating of 500%. An efficiency rating is the ratio of heat actually generated versus the amount of energy used to produce the heat. A rating of less than 100 percent means you are losing heat that you are paying for. This loss is typically caused by energy consumption required for the combustion process of a fossil fuel furnace. The most efficient natural gas furnaces cannot compete, at a rating of only 98%.
States, local municipalities, and utilities offer installation rebates, tax incentives, or low interest loans for geothermal heating and cooling systems. Find local incentives at dsireusa.org and learn more about the 30% federal tax credit for residential geothermal systems on our Financial Incentives page.
With geothermal, home and building owners will experience 25% to 40% savings on hot water costs. How? An item within the unit, called the desuperheater, captures waste heat during operation and transfers it into the domestic hot water supply, providing hot water assist and enhancing the operation of the unit. Traditional HVAC does not have this option.
Geothermal systems are the safest HVAC system available. Unlike gas, oil, or propane furnaces, geothermal does not rely on fossil fuels at all. Because of this, there is NO combustion or harmful fuels, which removes the potential of carbon monoxide poisoning, oil and gas leaks, or fires.
According to the EPA, geothermal systems are the most environmentally friendly way to heat and cool a structure, which makes them a perfect fit for net zero homes and buildings. Geothermal heat pumps rely on solar energy and use very little electricity. For every one unit of electricity used, a geothermal heat pump provides 4 units of heating/cooling for free by transferring heat from the ground to the structure and vice versa.
The cost to install a geothermal heating and cooling system varies by geographic location, loop size, home/building size, and installer so there is no clear-cut price. Bottom line: When compared to traditional HVAC systems, geothermal systems will provide more cost-savings. To get an estimate for your home or building, reach out to us and we'll provide you with a FREE geothermal design and quote. Don't write this amazing technology off without getting all the facts for your unique situation.
Between the highest efficiencies, long-lasting equipment, less maintenance, safeties, and cost savings on heating, cooling, and hot water bills, geothermal systems provide a return on investment in more ways than one. Couple these benefits with financial incentives and flexible financing options, and you'll be able to make monthly payments on a new system with the money you save on heating and cooling costs.
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the
energy efficiency tax credits.
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There are four different kinds of loop systems to power geothermal heat pumps:
The horizontal loop is the most common loop used when adequate land area is available (the home should sit on 1/2 acre, at least). Loop installers use excavation equipment such as chain trenchers, backhoes, directional bore machines, and track hoes to provide trenches approximately 5-8 feet deep. Trench lengths typically range from 100 to 250 feet per ton, depending on the loop design and application.
The vertical loop is used mainly when land area is limited and in retrofit applications of existing homes. A drilling rig is used to bore holes at a depth of 150 to 250 feet per ton. A U-shaped coil of high density pipe is inserted into the bore hole. The holes are then backfilled with a sealing solution.
An open loop can be installed if an abundant supply of high quality well water is available. A typical home will require a well producing 4 to 8 gallons of water per minute. A proper discharge area such as a river, drainage ditch, stream, pond, or lake must be present. Check for local restrictions before selecting a specific discharge method.
A pond loop is an option if a large body of water is available within approximately 200 feet of the home. A ½ acre, 10 to 12-foot deep body of water is needed to support the average home. The system uses coils of pipe typically 300 to 500 feet in length. The coils are placed in and anchored just above the bottom of the body of water.