4 Reasons Why It's Worth Considering Installing Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is heat from the earth being used to heat or cool homes. In the winter, the home is heated by pumping water through long loops of underground pipes to a section of the ground much warmer than the Earth's surface. The hot water is then returned for use in the home. In the summer, the process is reversed. Cool water is used in the home to absorb heat and then disperses it into the ground. There are a number of benefits to homeowners who install a geothermal HVAC in their home.

Environmentally Friendly


Image via Flickr by Christian Collins


Geothermal energy is environmentally friendly. Geothermal energy heats your home by moving heat that already exists below the Earth's surface, rather than using energy to create heat. There is no combustion in the process of heating or cooling your home, and it produces little to no greenhouse gasses. It has the smallest carbon footprint of any of the available heating and cooling options for homeowners.

For homeowners concerned about the appearance or space requirements of the geothermal system in the yard, much of the system is underground. Because the geothermal HVAC system is dependent on pumping water, there's no need for a loud fan to move air through compressor coils. Your yard stays quiet and clear of machinery. Geothermal energy is also a completely renewable resource. Earth continuously generates heat below the surface; it seems as though there will continue to be geothermal energy for as long as the Earth exists.

Energy Efficient 
Geothermal energy is very efficient, ranging up to 400 percent efficiency. Even the best furnaces average about 90 percent efficiency. Because of its high efficiency, a geothermal HVAC system will start saving you money from the very first time you use it. While the initial investment might be costly, a geothermal HVAC system can reduce the monthly costs of heating your home by half, and reduce cooling costs by almost the same.

Reliable 
Geothermal units can be put inside the home, away from the exposure to the elements, leading to longer lifespans. The components of the system kept inside the home often come with 10-year warranties but can last over 25 years. The components of the geothermal energy system that are below ground can last over 50 years. Because the system also has fewer moving parts overall, there are fewer components to break down or need repair.

Unlike other natural power sources like wind or solar energy, geothermal energy is not dependent on the weather. Geothermal HVAC systems can be relied upon regardless of the season or day-to-day weather. Because there is no fuel to purchase, the costs associated with operating your geothermal HVAC remain roughly the same. The fluctuation of fuel costs frustrating other homeowners has no impact on the cost of operating a geothermal HVAC system.

A geothermal HVAC system offers these benefits to almost any home. Wondering about installing a geothermal HVAC in your home? A professional HVAC technician can visit your home and evaluate for an installation.