The Environmental Protection Agency considers geothermal heat pumps as the most environmentally responsible option for heating & cooling on the market.
There are tax incentives available for installing this type of system. Although the cost of geothermal units has come down in recent years, the purchase & installation is still a much bigger investment than a more traditional option. However, geothermal heat pumps achieve efficiency ratings of 400%. They actually produce four units of energy for every component necessary to operate the equipment. The efficiency of these innovative systems can recover the beginning up cost in under five years by cutting heating & cooling bills in half. The system takes advantage of free & renewable energy available underground. It simply moves existing heat between the ground & the home. An underground loop system is the cause of the majority of the installation expense, requiring excavation to implement. However, the loop is warrantied for fifty years & can be expected to last twice that long. Because the heat pump is installed in the house & protected from the elements, it should last upwards of twenty years! Geothermal units also offer the added bonus of producing a virtually free source of tepid water. They help to combat excess humidity in the summer time & won’t dry out the air in the winter. WIth no combustion process, there are no concerns over fumes, tepid surfaces, orangehouse gas emissions or carbon monoxide. Geothermal heat pumps continue to acquire popularity across the country as a cost-effective source of comfort. They provide a legitimately clean, safe & consistent indoor temperature all year round.