Geothermal heating and cooling has repeatedly proven its value in homes and businesses across the country. Despite its ongoing successes, some geothermal myths have emerged that may cause some potential users to reconsider this type of economical, highly efficient home comfort system. Here are some of those myths and the facts that prove the myths aren’t true.
- MYTH: Geothermal systems are expensive. Compared to traditional furnaces or air conditioners, geothermal systems do cost more. However, these costs are easily offset by the extremely high efficiency and resulting savings produced by geothermal equipment. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to recover the cost of a geothermal system in monthly savings alone by about the halfway point of the system’s life. In addition, federal tax credits and other incentives can reduce the cost of initial purchase and installation.
- MYTH: Geothermal installations will destroy your lawn and landscaping. A horizontal ground-source geothermal system will require a certain amount of disruption of lawns for the installation of the ground loop, the pipe system where heat transfer occurs. If available space or landscaping is of particular concern, the loop can be installed vertically, in which the pipes are installed in several deep holes.
- MYTH: Geothermal systems only provide heating. Geothermal systems are based on heat pumps, and like heat pumps, they provide both heating and cooling by moving heat from place to place.
- MYTH: Geothermal equipment uses potentially harmful chemicals. The heat exchange medium in a geothermal system is usually water or a water-based solution. The loop system doesn’t contain refrigerants or other potentially harmful chemicals.
- MYTH: Geothermal systems don’t last as long as other systems. The heat pump portion of the geothermal system will typically last just as long or longer than any other high-quality heat pump. The loop system can be expected to last many decades, often 50 years or more.
Rheem Pro Partner delivers reliable, professional HVAC services to customers throughout the Denver metro area. Contact us today for more information on geothermal heating and cooling and for expert answers that will help dispel any geothermal myths that are stopping you from investing in this highly efficient home comfort technology.
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