In today’s world, people are looking for the best ways to lower their carbon footprint and switch from non-renewable fossil fuels to clean renewable energy sources, all while not sacrificing reliability and convenience. When it comes to the climate within your home, geothermal energy is one of the most beneficial renewable energy sources that can heat or cool your home efficiently and securely.
What is a Geothermal System?
Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source derived from heat under the earth’s surface. A geothermal heat pump, also known as a ground source heat pump, provides heating or cooling to homes and offices by using the ground as a heat sink. Geothermal requires drilling underground to install a system of piping that collects the underground heat and delivers it to the heat pump. When the weather warms up, the heat pumps absorb the excess heat in the ground so that it can be used once temperatures cool down.
What are Vertical Closed Loop Systems?
Geothermal heat pumps come in several types of ground loop systems, most commonly a closed loop system. In a closed loop system, antifreeze circulates through plastic tubing placed underground. The heat exchanger then moves heat between the refrigerant in the heat pump and the antifreeze, creating a comfortable environment in your home.
At Key Heating and Cooling, we specialize in installing vertical closed loop systems. This system consists of holes drilled 20 feet apart and between 100 and 400 feet in depth. Two pipes with a U-bend at the bottom are inserted into each hole and sealed for better performance. These vertical loops are linked by horizontal pipes in trenches and then connected to the heat pump inside the building.
Vertical closed loop systems are beneficial because they reduce disruption to existing landscaping due to deeper trenching. They also have more consistent heating and cooling performance due to consistent temperatures deeper underground. Vertical closed loop systems are highly durable, requiring minimal maintenance for many years to come. To learn more about how vertical closed loop systems work, click here.
Environmental Benefits of a Ground Source Heat Pump
Geothermal energy is renewable, reduces carbon footprint, and is a domestic energy source. According to the Department of Energy, the heat that flows under the earth’s surface is restored constantly by degraded matter, and will be produced for billions of years to come, so you can be reassured that you will never run out of a heat source to keep your home comfortable.
Geothermal energy emits no greenhouse gasses and consumes less water over its lifetime than other non-renewable heating and cooling sources. It can reduce your total usage of energy by 30 – 60% compared to traditional methods of heating and cooling. Plus, instead of relying on imported fossil fuels, a geothermal heat pump relies on the underground heat below the surface of your own backyard. No more relying on energy sources that fluctuate in availability and price over time.
Economic Benefits of a Geothermal Heat Pump
As prices start to rise on gas and oil, many are looking for a heating and cooling method that is just as dependable as carbon-based fuels. While ground source heat pumps may be more expensive to install than other heat pumps, they have a payback time of 5 – 10 years, which can save you money long term on energy bills. In fact, geothermal heat pumps can offer 25% - 50% more savings on heating and cooling costs than fossil fuel-based heating systems.
Tax Credits, Rebates, and Incentives
You may be concerned about the cost to install a geothermal system. Fortunately, there are several federal and state tax credits that you can take advantage of that can help save you money. The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act provides several credits for homeowners who are considering upgrading their home heating and cooling systems, including the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit and the Residential Clean Energy Credit. If you want to learn more about how you can benefit from these credits, click here. In addition, your state may have tax credits or rebates to help you save money when you switch to geothermal heating and cooling. Click here to learn more about what’s available in your state.
Trust Key Heating & Cooling to Help You Switch to Geothermal
Geothermal heat pumps are a renewable energy source that can be replenished in your own backyard, it will save you money on your heating bills, and you may be eligible for state and federal financial incentives if you choose to install a geothermal heating and cooling system. Our expert team at Key Heating and Cooling has been in the business of providing the best energy to the seacoast and lakes region for over 30 years. If you are ready to experience a greener home heating system, click here or call us today at 603-436-8811 and discover cleaner, eco-friendly comfort.
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