Considering making the switch to a geothermal heat pump system?If so, you are probably making a wise decision. Geothermal, or ground-source, heat pumps offer many benefits, and their exceptional energy efficiency and durability make them a good long-term investment. However, there are a few factors to weigh before making a final decision on which type of system to install.Before making the switch to geothermal, you should first consider:
The amount of land available - Geothermal heat pumps are energy efficient because they can pump heat to or from the ground, utilizing long loops of buried pipe to do so. Though it is possible to fit these pipe loops in almost any size yard, a larger land area allows the loops to be buried horizontally just a few feet underground. A small yard may require the loops to be sunk vertically, up to several hundred feet deep--which increases digging costs.
Landscaping costs - Installing the loops horizontally may be cheaper, but if digging trenches across your yard would interfere with existing landscaping, a vertical installation (which disturbs little of the surface soil) may still be your best bet.
The type of soil - Some kinds of soil are better at transferring heat between the pipes and the ground, which means less pipe (and less digging) is required.
Nearby water sources - If you have a pond or lake next to your house, it may be possible to simply submerge the pipe loops under water. This is generally much cheaper than digging and burying the loops under your yard.
Open loop options - Similarly, an open loop system minimizes digging by simply pumping water to and from the body of water (or the ground itself, if your property supports groundwater wells). This eliminates the long loops of pipe are otherwise needed.
Tax credits - When doing the math on a ground-source system, remember that the 30 percent tax credit on geothermal installations is still in effect (through 2016). Also available, are rebates from PSO, or other local utility providers.
If you have questions about any of this, feel free to contact the heat pump experts at Air Assurance in Broken Arrow. We would be happy to help.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!