Is a Geothermal System Right For You?

The latest rage in the heating and air conditioning field are geothermal heat pumps. Whether you are building a new home or looking to replace an existing system, you might want to consider switching to this long-lasting and cost-efficient system.

No matter how hot or cold it is outside, the temperature of the earth stays constant just a few feet below ground. The advantage of the fact that the ground temperature is lower than the outside air in the summer and higher than the air in the winter. This system uses a series of circulating pipes to pull heat from the ground into the home during the winter and to move heat from the home to the earth in the summer. Using the earth means not having to use as much electricity as with a traditional system to heat and cool your home. This reduces your operating costs and environmental footprint.

This system is a little more expensive to install than a traditional furnace and central air conditioning system, but the low operating costs will save you money in the end. If you are retrofitting your home to geothermal, you can recoup your investment in two to ten years. The underground piping system can last for twenty-five to fifty years and the heat pump can last for twenty years. You will see significant savings over such a long time period.
There is no outside condenser unit with a heat pump and the pipes are buried underground. This means the parts of the system are protected from the elements which means less maintenance. No condensing unit means less noise as well. You can relax on your deck or patio without hearing the constant hum of a traditional unit. Some systems are designed to heat your water as part of the circulation cycle saving you additional money.

Find the right contractor to design and install the system. Check out local HVAC contractors to see what brands and services they offer. You should be able to find reviews made by previous customers that will give you a good idea if the contractor is right for you. Since geothermal systems are energy efficient, you might qualify for tax credits or rebates from your state or the federal government.

Since this are Energy Star rated, you might qualify for an energy efficient mortgage. The cost of improving your home's efficiency is added into your mortgage giving you more time to pay off your investment. The right contractor will help you pick the best system for your house and budget. You can also arrange for your contractor to do a yearly maintenance check to make sure your system is running at its peak.

article source by alice lain