Geothermal Heat Pumps: Like Planting A Money Tree In Your Yard

We’ve all heard that money doesn’t grow on trees. True, but maybe that’s just a technicality. What if you found a way to put your money to work for you by investing it underground? No, not a secret black market. We’re talking about ground source heat pumps – also known as “geothermal” heating & cooling systems. Confused? Let’s explain.

Heating and cooling collectively account for 56% of the energy used in a typical home, so when you as a homeowner look for ways to save money, the greatest impact you can make is by upgrading to a high-efficiency HVAC system. And a geothermal system is without a doubt the most efficient way to heat and cool a home, potentially saving up to 70% on energy bills.

How do they work? Many people aren’t aware that the temperature below ground remains a near-constant 50° all year long. Ground source heat pumps are able to tap into this free energy by circulating a water-based solution through an underground “loop system”, providing your home with central heating & cooling. Because geothermal systems are designed to transport existing heat instead of creating it, they require a mere fraction of the energy that other systems consume and therefore have significantly lower operating costs.

By comparison a new furnace might be 95% efficient, while a geothermal system can achieve 400% to 500% efficiency. Plus, unlike furnaces, they provide cooling in the summer and even generate free hot water for much of the year. Geothermal units also have a much longer life cycle (20-25 years) than conventional furnaces (10-15 years) and the loop field can last up to 100 years.

Take a look at the chart below for an example of how geothermal can be a wise long-term financial investment for you:

Get details on the actual example used for this chart.As you can see, the energy savings can be quite significant over time. Despite higher upfront costs (which are partially offset by tax credits and utility company rebates), investing in geothermal can easily outperform money markets, mutual funds, and other investment options. Put money in the ground, see that money come back to you each year… kind of like planting a money tree!

P.S. It’s crucial that you choose an experienced, qualified, and reputable contractor for installation of a geothermal system. In the Spokane / Coeur d’Alene area there’s nobody better than R&R Heating & Air Conditioning. We have installed over 250 geothermal systems in the area, and designed even more. We are the only certified geothermal horizontal boring contractor in the Northwest and are IGSHPA Certified. When it’s time to break ground on a geothermal project, make sure you do your homework and pick the right contractor to do the job. Click here for more information on geothermal and a free analysis of your situation.