Geothermal heat pumps are on record as the most energy efficient among all heating systems present today. Apart from the energy savings, these systems also help in preserving the environment. One question that lingers in people’s minds is why geothermal heat pumps are not widely installed despite their perceived benefits. The quick answer to this, is the high upfront cost.

To help you understand the geothermal heat pumps so that you can make an informed decision, below are some important facts.

The Heat Pump Works Like Your Fridge

The principle on which your fridge works is the same as that of geothermal heat pumps. They remove heat from the interior and transfer it right into your kitchen. The geothermal heat pump sources for heat from the ground and uses it to heat your home. Alternatively, it can also remove the heat right from your home back into the ground.

During the heating season, the refrigerant pulls heat from the ground, takes it through to the geothermal unit and ultimately to the refrigerant coils for distribution. When it is cold, the process reverses.

Upfront Costs are Quite High

Installing a geothermal system is one of the most expensive ventures in HVAC. The installation and how much you will pay depends on the plot size, soil conditions, site accessibility, system configuration, and the digging and drilling required. To give you a ballpark figure, a 2000 square feet home can be installed with a geothermal retrofit at between $10,000 and $20,000. If it is a new home, the installation costs are much lower.

The Real Benefits of Geothermal

Geothermal heat pumps can bring your heating costs down by about 30 to 60%. When it comes to cooling costs, the 20% to 50% reduction range is plausible. In addition, geothermal uses clean renewable energy which is the sun and can be installed in both retrofit and new construction. Compared to other heating and cooling systems, geothermal units are usually quieter and long lived.

Other Non-Cost Downsides

The sizing, design, and installation of the system requires expert advice if it is to work efficiently. The fact that these units are relatively new in the market, there are few installers and less competition. This causes the prizes to remain high. The installation of the geothermal unit is usually highly disruptive to the landscape. Some lots may not accommodate such kind of disruption.

The Type of Loop Affects the Cost

The most common systems are the horizontal system, vertical system, and pond/lake system. There is no rule of thumb when it comes to picking the best geothermal system with the right loop length and design. Some of the factors that affect the type of loop include soil conditions, climate, cooling load, and available land.

Installing a geothermal unit today will give you significant savings and your efforts will go a long way into protecting the environment.