A geothermal heat pump is a much larger investment than more conventional methods of heating and cooling.
However, this type of system cuts the cost of temperature control in half.
It’s also eligible for tax credits that help to offset the expense. While a furnace and air conditioner can be expected to last anywhere between ten to fifteen years, a geothermal heat pump often provides reliable operation for more than twenty years. The heat pump is installed inside the house and protected from inclement weather. It also has very few moving parts, minimizing maintenance needs and reducing the chance of malfunction. The underground loop system is warrantied for fifty years and should continue to operate for twice that long. A geothermal heat pump offers outstanding efficiency levels. For every one unit of energy needed to run the equipment, the system produces four units, achieving 400% efficiency ratings. The system draws from the renewable, free energy source supplied by the sun. Because the underground temperature remains relatively stable all year round, the heat pump is able to pull heat out of the earth and pump it into the home. It doesn’t burn fossil fuels to create heat, eliminating carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and all greenhouse gasses. This process is wonderfully safe, clean and environmentally friendly. The Environmental Protection Agency lists geothermal temperature control as the most environmentally responsible choice. In the summer, the system reverses the flow of refrigerant to pull heat out of the house and create a cooling effect. With addition of a valve, the geothermal heat pump provides a free source of hot water generation.