Geothermal - How it Saves Money
According to the Department of Energy Geothermal systems consume 25%–50% less electricity compared to conventional HVAC equipment. With federal, state, and local tax incentives paybacks can be in as little as three to five years return on investment.
Contact us for more information and details for your next project.
- Rural Energy For America Program Grants/Renewable Energy Systems/Energy Efficiency Improvement Program
- Residential Energy Credits Form (pdf)
Geothermal - How it Works
You already have a heat pump in your home - your refrigerator. If you put your hand behind it, you'll feel the heat that's being pumped from the inside.
It's the same principle that a geothermal heat pump uses to warm your home. Instead of producing heat like a conventional furnace, a geothermal heat pump moves heat from one place to another - from the ground into your home.
Anatomy of a Geothermal Heat Pump:
Geothermal -The Process
The geothermal process is based on a simple premise: Below the frost line - usually about six feet deep – the earth is a constant temperature of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit all year long.
During the winter, the heat pump absorbs heat from the ground and uses it to warm the air in your home. In the warmer summer months, the processed is reversed, taking heat from your home and transferring it back into the ground.
The basic elements of a geothermal system include:
- Underground loops of plastic piping
- A liquid antifreeze solution
- A heat pump
- An air distribution system
The loops of piping are buried in the ground near your home or business, either vertically or horizontally. That ground loop is connected to a pumping module inside your home.
The pump circulates a mixture of water and the antifreeze through the ground loop, where it absorbs heat from the earth.
When the heated liquid reaches the heat pump inside your home, the heat is multiplied and used to warm the air inside the air-handling system. A blower sends the warmed air throughout the building through ductwork.
Geothermal Myths
Misconceptions about geothermal energy are driving a variety of myths about its practicality. Learn the Facts.
Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design
The Green Building Rating System™ encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices. Learn more about LEED.
Understanding the Tax Incentives
By classifying geothermal heat pumps under federal renewable energy provisions with solar and wind, Congress has recognized the crucial role this 50-state technology can play in reshaping our energy future. Learn more about your Options.
