The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now includes geothermal heat pumps in the
types of products rated in the EnergyStar® program.
Because they are mechanically simple and outside parts of the system are below ground
and protected from the weather, maintenance costs are often lower as well.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Cost
As a rule of thumb, a geothermal heat pump system costs about $2,500 per ton of
capacity. The typically sized home would use a three-ton unit costing roughly $7,500. That
initial cost is nearly twice the price of a regular heat pump system that would probably cost
about $4,000, with air conditioning.
When energy costs are figured in, geothermal heating and cooling systems are probably
cheaper. If the extra price for the geothermal system is included in an energy efficiency
mortgage, the homeowner could have a positive cash flow from the beginning. The extra
$3,500 cost of the more efficient system may add $30 per month to each mortgage
payment - an amount more than offset by the savings on the homeowner's utility bill.
Added to an already built home, an efficient geothermal system saves enough on utility
bills that the investment can be recouped in two to ten years.
Durability
Geothermal heat pumps are durable and require little maintenance. They have fewer
mechanical components than other systems, and most of those components are
underground, sheltered from the weather. The underground piping used in the system is
often guaranteed to last 25 to 50 years and is virtually worry-free.
The components inside the house are small and easily accessible for maintenance. Warm
and cool air is distributed through ductwork, just as in a regular forced-air system.
Since geothermal heating and cooling systems have no outside condensing units like air
conditioners, they are quieter to operate. Please use the following links for more specific
geothermal heating and cooling information.
types of products rated in the EnergyStar® program.
Because they are mechanically simple and outside parts of the system are below ground
and protected from the weather, maintenance costs are often lower as well.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Cost
As a rule of thumb, a geothermal heat pump system costs about $2,500 per ton of
capacity. The typically sized home would use a three-ton unit costing roughly $7,500. That
initial cost is nearly twice the price of a regular heat pump system that would probably cost
about $4,000, with air conditioning.
When energy costs are figured in, geothermal heating and cooling systems are probably
cheaper. If the extra price for the geothermal system is included in an energy efficiency
mortgage, the homeowner could have a positive cash flow from the beginning. The extra
$3,500 cost of the more efficient system may add $30 per month to each mortgage
payment - an amount more than offset by the savings on the homeowner's utility bill.
Added to an already built home, an efficient geothermal system saves enough on utility
bills that the investment can be recouped in two to ten years.
Durability
Geothermal heat pumps are durable and require little maintenance. They have fewer
mechanical components than other systems, and most of those components are
underground, sheltered from the weather. The underground piping used in the system is
often guaranteed to last 25 to 50 years and is virtually worry-free.
The components inside the house are small and easily accessible for maintenance. Warm
and cool air is distributed through ductwork, just as in a regular forced-air system.
Since geothermal heating and cooling systems have no outside condensing units like air
conditioners, they are quieter to operate. Please use the following links for more specific
geothermal heating and cooling information.
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Alternative-Heating-Info.com
Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Studies show that approximately 70
percent of the energy used in a
geothermal heating and cooling
system is renewable energy from
the ground.
The earth's constant temperature is
what makes geothermal heat
pumps one of the most efficient,
comfortable, and quiet heating and
cooling technologies available today.
While they may be more costly to
install initially than regular heat
pumps, they can produce markedly
lower energy bills - 30 percent to 40
percent lower.
percent of the energy used in a
geothermal heating and cooling
system is renewable energy from
the ground.
The earth's constant temperature is
what makes geothermal heat
pumps one of the most efficient,
comfortable, and quiet heating and
cooling technologies available today.
While they may be more costly to
install initially than regular heat
pumps, they can produce markedly
lower energy bills - 30 percent to 40
percent lower.
