How deep is your geothermal heat system’s loop?

Geothermal heat systems are made up of two main components: the heat pump and the ground loop. While the geothermal heat pump is above ground and accessible, the ground loop is laid below your lawn to collect geothermal energy for heating and cooling your home. One big question many homeowners and business owners have about installing geothermal heat system is how deep does the ground loop need to be buried?

Depending on the lay of the land, the underground features, and the size and design of your system, the depth of the ground loop will vary. The amount of space available for installation is a determining factor also. If there is a large amount of space available, the ground loop may be laid horizontally rather than vertically. This means your ground loop doesn’t have to be dug straight down, which may be necessary on smaller lots. When the available space is limited, the ground loop must be dug vertically in order to meet the needs of the system while keeping within the confines of the space.

Another determining factor of how deep the ground loop will be buried has to do with budget. Horizontal ground loops are a cost effective way to bury this network of piping, as they are typically not placed as deep as vertical ground loops. The size of the geothermal heat system needed to heat and cool your home will also help determine the depth and placement of your ground loop.

All these factors will be considered when determining the placement and depth of your geothermal heat system’s ground loop. With these factors in mind, Smith Sustainable Design will design an appropriate and effective ground loop which will collect the geothermal energy used to heat and cool your home. Before installation, we’ll discuss the design of your system, as well as the placement and depth of your geothermal ground loop, and address any questions you may have. Contact us today to learn more about placing a ground loop for your new geothermal heat system.

Sizing geothermal heating systems

Before installing a geothermal heating system, many important decisions are made to ensure your home will be equipped with a reliable, efficient way to heat and cool your space. One major determination which must be made before designing the ground loop which will gather geothermal energy is the appropriate size for your system. Sizing your system properly will help your home maintain the comfort and savings you’ll expect from your geothermal heating system.

An oversized geothermal heating system

Oversizing your geothermal heating system means the heat pump is too large for your space, your home’s insulation, and the needs created by your climate. When your geothermal heating system has a heat pump that is larger than needed, you’re getting more heating power than what is required for your space; oversizing means you may be paying more than necessary for higher capacity equipment. This extra expense can extend your payback period.

An undersized geothermal heating system

If your geothermal heating system is sized too small, your system won’t be capable of heating and cooling your home as efficiently. When geothermal heating systems are undersized, they must work harder and expend more energy in order to keep your home comfortable. This can lead to much higher operating costs than expected from a geothermal heating system, eliminating much of the savings you expect to gain when switching to a geothermal system. While installation costs are lower when a system is undersized, overall operating costs will be much higher than with a system that was sized correctly.

Installing a geothermal heating system is a significant investment for any home. Working with an experienced geothermal heating system contractor will help ensure you are getting the right system for your needs. Smith Sustainable Design has years of experience designing and installing geothermal heating systems, and takes great care to create the proper system design which will allow you to experience the savings and comfort you expect. Contact us today to learn more about properly sizing your home’s new geothermal heating system.

The effects of geothermal heating and cooling systems on property value

Many decisions homeowners make regarding remodeling rooms, upgrading appliances, and adding features to their homes have to do with comfort, convenience, and need. Homeowners also evaluate whether or not the improvement will affect the value of their home, which is an important consideration when determining return on investment. Geothermal heating and cooling systems are no different; they are a significant investment and homeowners often 

wonder the impact they will have on property value.

While there is no definitive answer on how geothermal heating and cooling systems affect property value, but many will say they either do not affect the value, or that they increase the value. There’s no solid data available to answer the property value question because often times, there aren’t comparable homes which have sold in the area that have geothermal systems. This means your appraiser or realtor may not be able to tell you with certainty that your geothermal heating and cooling system is an added value.

Because of the lack of consumer knowledge about geothermal heating and cooling systems, they can be overlooked when potential buyers evaluate your home. Many people do not recognize the energy savings benefits and lower operating costs associated with geothermal, and may think it’s just a typical furnace in your home. While geothermal heating and cooling systems are becoming more common, many people still do not know about their benefits, leading some to believe the system will not noticeably increase your property value.

On the other hand, geothermal heating and cooling systems are also thought to increase property value. Those who are aware of their benefits recognize the energy saving potential these systems offer. For homebuyers who are looking for sustainable systems and features, a geothermal heating and cooling system is an asset.

Either way, geothermal heating and cooling systems generally do not decrease your property value when installed correctly. It is important to work with a trusted contractor when installing a geothermal heating and cooling system to protect your home’s value and eliminate risks associated with faulty installation which can lower the property value. Smith Sustainable Design is a full service engineering, construction management, and installation provider, offering quality, reliable installation for residential and commercial geothermal heating and cooling systems. Contact us today to discuss a new geothermal heating and cooling system for your home.

Tax credits for geothermal heat pump systems

Installing a geothermal heat pump system for your home has never looked so good! The federal government is offering a 30% tax credit to homeowners who install qualifying geothermal heat pump systems before December 31, 2016. Taxing advantage of this tax credit can help you save on the installation costs of your new heat pump system.

A tax credit reduces the tax you owe dollar for dollar, unlike a tax deduction which removes only a percentage of the tax you owe. The federal tax credit is 30% of the cost of your geothermal heat pump system. This also includes installation and labor costs as well as the cost to purchase the heat pump equipment. There is no upper limit, or cap, on the tax credit for installing a new geothermal heat pump; prior to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the credit was capped at $2,000.00.

To qualify, your heat pump system must be installed at residential properties; rental homes are not qualified. If you are building a new home before the deadline, you can also take advantage of this tax credit when you install a geothermal heat pump system. Second homes or vacation homes are also eligible for the tax credit. Your heat pump system must also meet the federal equipment requirements for efficiency:

Closed Loop:

• EER ≥ 14.1
• COP ≥ 3.3

Open Loop:

• EER ≥ 16.2
• COP ≥ 3.6

If you have installed a qualifying geothermal heat pump system in recent years, you may be eligible to receive the tax credit, too. This tax credit covers qualifying systems installed January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2016.

Some local rebates are also available for installing qualified geothermal heat pump systems. Through the New Jersey's Clean Energy Program residents can apply for a $500 rebate. In Pennsylvania, PECO customers can apply for $217 per ton rebate. For example, if your home needs a 4 ton geothermal heat pump. You can apply for a $868 rebate.

The federal tax credit can certainly help you recoup installation expenses faster for your new geothermal heat pump system. Take advantage of these incentives now; contact Smith Sustainable Design to begin planning for the installation of a new heat pump system at your home.

Retrofit your home with a geothermal heat system

Years ago, geothermal heat systems were generally installed in new construction settings. Thanks to improvements in technology over the last several years, geothermal heat systems are also an option for existing homes. Retrofits can be performed using selected strategies to integrate a geothermal heat system for your current home. A great way for homeowners to reduce energy use, these systems can add value to your existing home and lower daily energy expenses.

One element that once caused owners of existing homes to shy away from geothermal heat systems was the placement of the ground loop. The ground loop, or earth loop, is a necessary component of a geothermal heat system, which facilitates the collection of energy from the Earth’s consistent underground temperatures.  Placing the ground loop requires digging, as it is generally buried under the frost line around the existing dwelling. Vertical placement is now an option, as opposed to horizontal placement, which makes a geothermal heat system a good option for homeowners worried about interfering with outdoor property features.

When retrofitting a geothermal heat system for existing homes, there are products available to minimize alterations and take advantage of the home’s existing elements. If your home is currently using a forced-air heating system, your new geothermal heat system can be installed to use the duct work that is currently in place. Another option would be to incorporate a geothermal split system, which keeps your existing furnace in place as a backup heat source, creating a hybrid heat system.

If a new heating system is in your home’s future, don’t overlook considering a geothermal heat system as a replacement system. Geothermal heat systems can be retrofit to your existing home without extensive alterations, providing an easy to install and use option for heating your home. To learn more about the many benefits a geothermal heat system can offer your family, or about how simple a retrofit can be, contact Smith Sustainable Design. Our knowledgeable team will expertly retrofit your new geothermal heat system, addressing any concerns along the way.

Switch to a geothermal heating and cooling system for savings

As you know, retrofitting your current home with a new geothermal heating and cooling system can be done with minimal alterations, making it an excellent choice for replacing your home’s existing systems. Depending on your home’s current system, your new geothermal system may be able to utilize existing elements, reducing the need to install additional components. While geothermal heating and cooling systems are a great option for almost any home, there are a few specific reasons why replacing your old equipment with a geothermal system is a smart choice.

Longer service life

The average forced air furnace and air conditioner have a service life of only about twelve years. If your home’s current heating and cooling systems are nearing or past this important milestone, it’s time to begin investigating replacement options no matter what type of system you’re considering. A geothermal heating and cooling system can last you longer than two or more furnaces or air conditioners can; indoor components of a geothermal heating and cooling system have a life expectancy of twenty or more years, and outdoor components can last over fifty years.

Increased efficiency

As they age, the efficiency of a forced air furnace or air conditioning system is reduced year after year, especially when routine maintenance is neglected. Plus, older models weren’t as efficient as newer equipment is to begin with; so if your home’s furnace or air conditioner was new several years ago, its inefficiency is likely leading to higher energy bills for your family. Geothermal heating and cooling systems boast an impressive four to five hundred percent efficiency, drastically reducing your energy bills compared to your home’s former systems. With routine maintenance and care, geothermal heating and cooling systems can maintain this high level of efficiency year after year, benefiting your family longer than forced air furnaces and air conditioners.

If you are ready to replace your forced air heating and cooling equipment with a new geothermal heating and cooling system, contact Smith Sustainable Design for more information about the products and systems we install. Our expert team can provide more details to help you evaluate your current equipment and learn how a new geothermal heating and cooling system will be a wise investment for your family.

Geothermal heating systems: get in the loop

Geothermal heating systems make use of the Earth’s energy to heat, and cool, your home. By tapping into the consistent underground temperatures below your home, geothermal heating systems provide a natural way to stay warm no matter what temperature the air may be outside. How do geothermal heating systems capture this energy? The answer is the ground loop, a crucial component of any geothermal heating system.

When a geothermal heating system is installed, a ground loop is placed underground near the home. The ground loop is made up of polyethylene or pex-a piping. The ground loop is filled with fluid which collects the Earth’s underground temperatures and conducts this energy for use in the home.

Each system’s ground loop is designed based on several factors, including soil type, climate, size of the structure, and the orientation of the structure in relationship to the lot. Closed-loop systems, including horizontal, vertical, and pond loop systems, use loops of installed piping to facilitate heat exchange. Horizontal and vertical systems are buried underground, and pond loop systems are installed in sizeable bodies of water, like a nearby pond or lake. Open-loop systems utilize clean groundwater for energy, tapping into a well to gain heat in the winter, and deposit heat in the summer. Whichever loop system is recommended for your geothermal heating system, they each have approximately the same operating costs as well as efficiency. A quality loop installation for your geothermal heating system will help your loop last longer.

For more information on geothermal heating systems, stay in the loop with Smith Sustainable Design. Call us today to learn more about loop design options for a new geothermal heating system, or how to maintain the components of your current system.