Is a Geothermal Heat Pump System Right for me?

A Geothermal Heat Pump System is one of the most energy efficient heating systems used to keep a home warm during winter. In order to warm your home, geothermal heat pumps pull the heat stored in the earth’s interior and transfer it into your home. Geothermal heat pumps are also used to keep your home cool during the summer. In this case heat is transferred from your home into the earth. We will explain here how you can determine that geothermal heating system is appropriate for your home or not.

New construction or existing residence?

Now we have an idea that geothermal heating systems access thermal energy from the earth to provide heat for your home. It is important to drill geothermal boring holes on your property to reach the constant temperatures in the earth. You may need a considerable area on your property allocated for the drilling of geothermal wells. It can be easily done before you have constructed your home. Pre-existing structure limits the area for the drilling of geothermal wells. However, it is possible to retrofit geothermal heating system in already build home.

Your lot

The type of geothermal heating system that would be best for you depends upon the available space in your yard. There are two major components of geothermal heating systems, a loop field, and a heating pump. The geothermal loop fields could be installed in two directions, horizontal and vertical. Horizontal loop field requires a lot of space, therefore, is more suitable in rural areas. It doesn’t require deep drilling so sometimes is less costly than vertical loop field. Vertical loop field is more common method of installing geothermal heating system. It utilizes smaller area and needs deep drilling.  Both these loop fields have their benefits and drawbacks, and both are equally effective systems of heating your home.

Your Investment

Overall cost of geothermal heating system seems extremely high and shocking to many. But in the long run, the use of a geothermal heating and cooling system returns much more than its investment. The upfront cost in installing vertical or horizontal loop fields is higher than a fossil fuel furnace heating system. The higher efficiency of geothermal heating system can payback within a short period after their installation. Your investment to install geothermal heating pump will be appreciated by the considerable reduction of utility bills and you will see the investment restored within the few years of installation. Moreover, geothermal heating system requires low maintenance in contrast to other heating systems.