Geothermal Heating
Is geothermal heating right for you?
With the need for humankind to be more energy-efficient, it's always a good idea to find ways to save on energy costs when it comes to heating and cooling our homes. Geothermal heating is perhaps the most energy-efficient method around, as it works by taking heat from the ground.
Ground-sourced heat pumps use a closed-loop system of tubes that are installed in the ground near your home, or directly underneath it. Normally, these tubes are placed 4 feet below the frost line or deeper, so that they can tap into the ground's heat throughout the year.
How Geothermal Heating Works
Geothermal heating systems benefit from the constant temperature of the earth and are actually more efficient than air-sourced heating systems because they don't have to work as hard to maintain a constant temperature. However, they do tend to be more expensive, since installation is quite a bit more labor-intensive than your normal furnace installation.
The tubes in the ground are filled with fluid, like normal heat pumps, and they work exactly like a heat pump does. These tubes transfer hot air into your home during the winter and pump cold air back into the outdoors. Unlike heat pumps, however, geothermal heating uses less energy, and its parts last longer.
Pricing a Geothermal Heating Installation
One of the factors you may take into consideration when deciding if a geothermal heat pump system is right for you is the cost of installation. On average, it costs approximately between $2,000 and $3,000 per "ton" of capacity, including the buried tubing and fluid installation. That can add up if you have a large home. Normally, a geothermal installation is going to cost around $6,000 to $9,000, while an average gas furnace installation will cost no more than $5,000.
However, geothermal heat systems often pay for themselves over two to ten years. Their parts are durable and have warranties as long as 50 years, and they can add value to your home. When considering a geothermal heat exchanger, remember that it can be worth the investment in the long run.
