*Slash greenhouse gas emissions
*Reduce dependence on foreign oil
*Simplify maintenance procedures
*Prevent exposure to harsh weather, corrosion, or vandalism
Benefits of Geothermal
Frequently Asked Questions
A few feet beneath the surface, the earth's temperature remains fairly constant, ranging from 45º or so in northern latitudes to about 70ºF in the deep south-year round. Geoexchange takes advantage of this constant temperature to provide extremely efficient heating and cooling.
In winter, a water solution circulating through pipes buried in the ground absorbs heat from the earth and carries it into the home. The geoexchange system inside the home uses a heat pump to concentrate the earth's thermal energy and then to transfer it to air circulated through standard ductwork to fill the interior space with warmth.
In the summer, the process is reversed: heat is extracted from the air in the house and transferred through the heat pump to the ground loop piping. The water solution in the ground loop then carries the excess heat back to the earth. The only external energy needed for geoexchange is the small amount of electricity needed to operate the ground loop pump and fan.
Not necessarily. It depends on how you measure cost. While they sometimes cost more to install in homes than conventional systems because of the ground loop piping, geoexchange systems typically have the lowest life-cycle cost of any heating and cooling system. Heating and cooling costs for a typical 2,000-sq.-ft. home can run as low as $1 a day.
Moreover, installation costs have declined substantially in recent years, and they're expected to continue to fall, as more builders and contractors offer geoexchange systems, and as the industry develops innovative ways to install the systems faster and more efficiently.
Altogether, geoexchange systems are a sound investment. The amount they save the homeowner every month in energy costs is more than enough to offset their higher installation cost.
Furthermore, the energy efficiency of the system adds value to the home. The National Association of Realtors relies on the Appraisal Journal to help you determine the total value of your home. An October 1998 article printed in the Journal states that a home's value increases by $10 to $25 for every $1 reduction in utility bills. That's a lot of equity to build just by choosing geoexchange!
How Does It Work?
How much does it cost to install?
Does geothermal cost more?
The prices have a wide range based on a number of variables, such as your home or building's size and design, the brand and model you choose, your location, etc., so it is impossible to provide a number here. However, you may be surprised how affordable it is.
Info from Geoexchange.org