Geothermal technology has long- term benefits
Systems do not use fossil fuels, can be three to four times more efficient
Rick Gilbert has been in the energy business for more than 25 years, but he’s spent the past 16 working with geothermal technology.
“I wish I would have found it sooner,” said Gilbert, namesake of Rick Gilbert Geothermal Specialist in New Oxford, Pa. “I thought this was the thing of the future, and I believe I’m right. It’s the cheapest energy in the world. There’s nothing that can touch it. People are getting more concerned with the cost of fuel.”
Geothermal systems use the steady 55- degree average temperature from deep in the earth, instead of outside air, to provide heating and cooling.
Geothermal systems use no fossil fuels and can be three to four times more efficient than the highest- efficiency air source units.
“It’s actually nothing more than a heat pump,” Gilbert said. “The only difference is the way you collect your energy. Instead of collecting it from the air temperature like a regular air source heat pump, which is a very inconsistent temperature, you collect your energy from the ground.”
Geothermal units can cost up to 30 to 40 percent more than a traditional air source unit — about $ 20,000 to $ 25,000 on average, depending on region — but there are some immediate and long- term benefits that make them more cost- effective.
First, qualifying geothermal systems are eligible for a federal tax credit of 30 percent off the cost of the unit and installation. Some utility companies offer rebates and incentives to homeowners who convert to geothermal.
Additionally, geothermal systems last about twice as long as a conventional system, can reduce monthly heating and cooling costs by as much as 70 percent, can provide an extra source of hot water at little to no additional cost and provide more balanced heating and cooling. Most experts say you can recoup the investment within four to seven years.
“If you’re building a house and making a decision between a geothermal and a traditional heat system, the little extra money would more than cash flow the minute you walked into your house” said Jeff Ockinga of Complete Comfort Inc., in Omaha, Neb.
“In our region, if somebody builds a $ 220,000 to $ 250,000 ranch- style house, with the extra money they spent on geothermal compared to their utility savings, their mortgage would go up $ 20 and they’d save $ 100 a month in utilities. For them, it’s really a no brainer, once they have the information. That of course will vary region to region, depending on utility rates,” Ockinga said.
The extra expense for geothermal is mostly related to the underground closed- loop system that most systems require to transfer the heat from the earth into the home during the winter and pull heat from the home back into the earth during the summer.
Some systems require horizontal loops, and others need vertical loops, depending on the type of soil and size of the home’s yard.
Other systems can use an open- loop system that uses ground- source water from a water well, lake or pond. The type of loop system depends on the type of land and available resources.
Proper installation, including the correct number of loops for the specific home, is critical if the system is to work at maximum efficiency. Because geothermal systems are a specialty service, they are not offered by all heating and cooling companies.
Loop installers should be certified by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association and have specialized training from the manufacturer. Confirm certification and training claims, and ask for references from other homeowners for whom they’ve installed geothermal, before you hire.
Ockinga said he’s excited to see increased demand in geothermal as more consumers learn about its benefits. He estimates he’s tripled the number of geothermal installations compared to five years ago.
“While the industry as a whole is still a small part of the overall heating and cooling world, it’s still by far the fastest- growing and as far as all the renewable energies go,” Ockinga said,
“I’m a big proponent. It’s by far the most efficient heating and cooling system we have. It’s the most environmentally friendly heating and cooling system we have. The tax credits are helping people absorb the extra cost. A lot of times, you can have a geothermal system for equal money as a high- end gas air conditioning system. We beat that drum pretty loudly. I think it’s the best thing for everyone all the way around,” he said.
Angie Hicks is the founder of Angie’s List, the nation’s most trusted resource for local consumer reviews on everything from home repair to health care.