Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps have been around awhile but they are becoming more and more popular with homeowners who wish to take that extra step in reducing their energy usage and utility bills.
About Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps work a little differently than your standard furnace. They use the heat energy buried in the earth to run your heating and cooling system rather than the outside air temperature. The earth temperature is less fickle than the air-staying at a somewhat constant temperature. In the end, your system doesn't have to turn on and off as much to keep your home comfortable, which amps up the efficiency of a geothermal system to be somewhere between 300 and 600% and they don't use nearly as much fossil fuel to run, making them a low-impact choice for HVAC needs.
The Expense Pays Off
In terms of price, geothermal heat pumps are more expensive to install than your standard furnace, but you will see the return on investment in anywhere between two and ten years, according to the Department of Energy. Also, there may be federal, state, or local government incentives you can take advantage of by choosing to install a geothermal system in your home. Finally, your home's value will improve when you add such an efficient feature.
If this isn't exactly what you need, but you still want the benefits of a green system, you should consider a hybrid system. A hybrid system makes use of a furnace and a separate heat pump. You'll increase the efficiency of a standard furnace and save money on utility bills.
American Weathermakers is experienced in installing both hybrid and geothermal systems. Read more about our 'Green' services here. Give us a call at 847.509.7777 to set up an appointment.
