About 100,000 geothermal heat pumps are installed each year across the United States. Interest in geothermal heating and cooling technology has increased dramatically in recent years alongside the desire for lower utility payments and climate change and energy dependency concerns. For those pondering any one or combination of these issues, geothermal heat pumps may offer an ideal solution.
Efficiency: “Desuperheater” you’ve been looking for
A ground-source heat pump (GSHP), also referred to as a “geothermal” heat pump, is an efficient beast, pumping out more heating and cooling per unit of energy consumed than conventional systems – 25 to 50% less, to be exact. Coupled with an additional device called a “desuperheater,” it can save you on water heating costs to boot, heating the water used in your home in the summer for free, and cutting winter water heating costs by about half.
Benefits: What’s covered…
- Easy compatibility with “zoned” space conditioning – keeping different parts of your home at different temperatures.
- Radiant heat compatibility with desuperheater systems.
- Improved humidity control, with levels at near-perfect, 50% RH levels.
- Space-saving above-ground hardware that requires less room than conventional systems.
- Fewer moving parts, and sheltered components with parts carrying long warranties: 20+ years for heat pumps; 25 to 50 years for pipes.
- Reduced energy consumption and emissions at levels 44% below air-source heat pumps and 72% below electric resistance heating.
Site characteristics
The layout and landscaping on your property will determine horizontal or vertical system design. Geology and hydrology also play a role in determining compatible hardware for you system, with certain variations requiring more or less piping for temperature control. However shallow ground temperatures are constant throughout the U.S., making professional installations possible nearly anywhere.
Economics: Seeing the forest through the trees
With the right combination of climate, soil conditions, and system features, geothermal heat pumps offer savings that vary by installation type:
- New build
Installed in a new home, you can recoup your geothermal heat pump investment in 2 to 10 years through lower utility bills. Include the costs in your mortgage and gain a positive cash flow from day one. - Retrofit
Retrofit installations offer much lower utility bills, leading to investment recuperation in the same 2 to 10 years as those installed with new builds.
Incentives: Following the dangling carrot
For those yearning for a geothermal heat pump but cringing at costs, there are a ton of breadcrumb trails to follow to savings… Energy efficient mortgages from your local lender can cover this and other energy saving improvements to your home. Also available, federal and state tax incentives alongside those from your local power provider to help you more easily afford this greener, cleaner technology.
Installation: Not for the do-it-yourselfer
Specialized knowledge and equipment is key to geothermal heat pump sizing and installation. Ensure success with the trained professionals at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us to learn more about geothermal heat pump installation at your site today.
H & H Heating And Air Conditioning Inc. 