Renewable energy is making headlines lately, and it may be something you’ve been hoping to invest in for your home for a long time. Wind and solar power have long been discussed as solutions to a slow depletion of natural resources, but these are not accessible to every home or homeowner.
Geothermal heating and cooling is a way to take in renewable energy for a specific task, cooling or heating a home, which often accounts for the highest spending on your energy bills. A geothermal system is an investment, but it’s one that’s well worth the results.
How Geothermal Heating and Cooling Works
To understand how geothermal energy works, you’ll first need to understand why the earth’s heat is such an excellent renewable energy source. If you dig far enough into the earth, you’ll hit a temperature that remains just about constant—about 50°F. This may not seem like a high heat energy, but it’s that consistency year-round that has allowed for the development of geothermal heat pumps.
Geothermal heat pumps have a closed-loop system underground that circulates an antifreeze solution throughout. It transfers heat from the earth into the home when it’s cool out. When it’s warm out, the air is cooled by transferring heat from the home into the ground through the antifreeze solution.
Conventionally, heat pumps use the air as a source of heat, rather than the ground. But inconsistent outdoor temperatures make this an unreliable method that costs a lot more each month. While heat pumps are an efficient alternative to, say, portable heaters and window air conditioners, they don’t compare to the efficiency and performance of geothermal heating and cooling systems.
An Investment in Your Home and Finances
Geothermal heat pumps are certainly an investment. They do cost more, upfront, than conventional air conditioning due to the installation of the closed-loop system on your property. However, the long-term geothermal cost benefits may make it well worth it.
- Save on monthly bills – The consistent heat energy several feet in the earth reduces your reliance on energy from the utility company. Bills can drop significantly after a month of using geothermal heating and cooling.
- Save on repair costs – A geothermal system has fewer moving parts than a conventional heat pump or central air conditioner. This translates to fewer repairs throughout the year for a system that does not have to work as hard as others.
- Keep your system for longer – Geothermal heat pumps tend to last longer than other central heating and cooling systems. While you may need to replace some indoor components after 10-15 years, the outdoor loop system should last several decades.
- Add to your property value – Finally, if you know you will sell your home sometime in the distant future, your geothermal system may appeal to the greener needs of modern homebuyers. While this is not the sole reason to install a geothermal system, it is certainly an added perk years later.
Boehmer Heating & Cooling offers geothermal heating and cooling installation in Upper St. Clair. Call our friendly staff for exceptional customer service.