A geothermal heat pump is one of the most energy efficient residential heating and cooling systems available. Geothermal heat pumps are similar to air source heat pumps, but they rely on the earth as a source of heat in the winter and to dump heat in the summer. Since the earth’s temperature remains at a relatively constant temperature between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit just a few feet below ground, a geothermal heat pump is more efficient that an air source heat pump that can lose heating efficiency as temperatures drop below freezing.
Although their primary advantage is their high energy efficiency, there are plenty of other reasons to install a geothermal heat pump. One reason is their durability. Unlike air source heat pumps and traditional furnaces that have a service life of around 10 years, a geothermal heat pump should provide energy efficient heating and cooling for more than 20 years.
In addition to heating and cooling your home, many models of geothermal heat pumps also provide energy efficient water heating. Also, geothermal heat pumps do not have a noisy outdoor compressor/condenser unit like a central air conditioner or air source heat pump. The outdoor heat exchanger is a series of pipes buried underground.
Geothermal heat pumps are quiet indoors too. The inside unit makes about the same amount of noise as a refrigerator so it is hardly noticeable. Due to the way geothermal heat pumps operate, the heating and cooling results in more consistent, even temperatures that increases indoor comfort.
The main reason geothermal heat pumps are not more popular is that the cost of the initial installation is significant. However, the 30% federal tax credit for Energy Star rated geothermal heat pumps helps reduce the out of pocket expense and the energy costs savings should pay for the unit in less than ten years.
