The main advantage of a geothermal heat pump is that it takes advantage of the free, renewable energy found underground.
When my husband and I bought property and decided to build our dream home, we were determined to make smart decisions. We researched everything from the most durable roofing materials to the most fade-resistant siding. We looked into all different types of windows, floor coverings, kitchen cabinets, plumbing fixtures and countertops. I spent days reading reviews about toilets. One of our biggest dilemmas was choosing a heating and cooling system. While the winters are fairly mild in our local area, the summers are extremely hot and humid. It’s necessary to provide a residential property with both heating and cooling. We considered the combination of a natural gas furnace and central air conditioner but didn’t like the idea of giving up so much space to ductwork. Plus, duct systems tend to make a lot of noise, waste a great deal of energy and introduce contaminants into the breathing air. We started looking into the various types of heat pumps and came across geothermal units. While a geothermal heat pump costs a lot more than conventional alternatives, the system combines heating and cooling capacity. It also achieves 400% efficiency ratings. Because a geothermal heat pump trims utility bills by approximately fifty percent, it can pay for itself in under five years. With the addition of a simple valve, the system supplies a virtually free source of hot water. The main advantage of a geothermal heat pump is that it takes advantage of the free, renewable energy found underground. It pulls this heat from the earth and uses a system of pipes to convey it indoors. In cooling mode, the heat pump draws heat out of the indoor air and delivers it into the ground. The process avoids combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide. Geothermal systems are considered the most environmentally responsible choice for temperature control by the US EPA.