What is Geothermal?

As opposed to convential systems that use oil or natural gas, Geothermal systems tap into existing energy underground and use it to heat & cool your home. Ground temperatures stay a constant 55 degrees all year no matter what the weather is like. Geothermal systems, also known as geoexchange or ground source heat pumps, transfer the heat to and from your home using a highly efficient system of pipes buried beneath the surface.

Because geothermal systems are designed to transport existing heat instead of creating it, they by far have the lowest operating costs compared to any other system. In fact, geothermal systems can turn your HVAC system into a financial asset that pays you back dividends over the years. Is a geothermal system right for you? Contact us and we'll help you find out.

What Are the Benefits of Geothermal Systems?

• Lower Operating Costs, Excellent ROI (and Free Hot Water?!?) Geothermal systems have efficiency ratings of 300 to 500% (as compared to 95% efficient conventional systems) and can save you up to 70% on your monthly heating, cooling and hot water bills. After tax credits and savings from lower operating costs, you could potentially see a 10% return on investment or more. (Click here to see an actual example how geothermal can be a great investment for you.) And then there's the free hot water as a bonus benefit... Geothermal systems have the capability of capturing reclaimed heat during heating and cooling modes and using it to heat domestic water, reducing the water heating cost of a four-person household by 50 to 60 percent.
  
  

  Quick Link:  Annual Home Heating Cost Comparison from Inland Power (PDF) (217kb)

  
  
  
  Geothermal Savings Calculator  |  30% Federal Tax Credit
  

• Longer Life Cycle. You can expect your geothermal system to provide an average of 20 to 25 years of reliable comfort and savings. And the loop field is designed to last 50 to 100 years! By comparison, the average life cycle of a conventional system is 10 to 15 years. Unlike air conditioners and heat pumps, geothermal systems are installed indoors, so they are not subject to wear and tear caused by rain, snow, ice, debris, extreme temperatures or vandalism. Geothermal systems have proven to be very reliable and require less maintenance.
  
  
• Unmatched Comfort, Peacefully Quiet. Geothermal systems provide precise distribution of comfortable air all year long, eliminating hot spots and cold spots. During heating, you'll experience warm air without the hot blasts associated with ordinary gas furnaces, or the cooler air of an air source heat pump. Additionally, when cooling, geothermal sytems deliver cool, dehumidified air. Geothermal systems are designed and constructed for quiet operation. Unlike ordinary air conditioners or heat pumps, there's no noisy outdoor unit to disturb your outside environment or your neighbors.
  
  
• Environmentally Friendly. Geothermal systems have a positive impact on the environment since they burn no fossil fuels and operate on a modest amount of electricity. According to the United States Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal systems are the most environmentally friendly way to heat and cool your home. They do not emit greenhouse gasses, which are known to contribute to environmental air pollution.

Why Choose R&R Heating & Air Conditioning For Geothermal?

We've been installing geothermal systems in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho since 1990, with over 250 verifiable geothermal systems installed to date (and counting). Our team is loaded with trained, certified professionals who really know what they're doing and excited to put their expertise to work for you. We're IGSHPA certified (International Ground Source Heat Pump Association), we stand behind our work 100% and we have a long list of happy geothermal customers who can vouch for us.

We are also the only certified horizontal boring contractor in the Northwest. Unlike other contractors who may have to subcontract out the digging, our in-house horizontal boring allows us to retain control over that very important step in the process and also keep your installation costs down.