Geothermal Heat Pumps Generate Savings for Your Home

Homeowners who invest in a geothermal heating and cooling system realize savings not only at the time of installation, but well into the future. The system reduces energy consumption, lowers utility bills and increases home resale values.

 A geothermal home comfort system taps into the abundant source of free solar heat energy stored in the earth and uses a series of pipes (an earth loop) buried in the ground to move that heat into a home during the winter and remove it during the summer. This same heat energy can be used for a radiant floor system or domestic hot water heating.

 Once installed, the system significantly reduces energy consumption, saving homeowners as much as 70 percent on their heating and cooling bills throughout the year. And because geothermal systems use the free renewable supply of energy found in homeowners’ backyards, the use of geothermal reduces dependency on foreign oil while encouraging energy production here and helping to create jobs in renewable industries.

 Lower utility bills increase the list of benefits that a geothermal system offers the homeowner. In fact, a geothermal system delivers an astounding four units of energy for every one unit of electrical energy used. That translates to a 400 percent efficiency rating for heating, cooling and hot water costs. Additionally, once installed, a geothermal system requires less maintenance than a conventional heating and cooling system.

 In addition to consistent temperatures, a geothermal system ensures good indoor air quality (IAQ). That’s because the system does not require combustion and therefore produces none of the products associated with combustion, including carbon monoxide, which can negatively impact the air you breathe. Nor does it require a system to vent carbon monoxide and other dangerous exhaust gases. So, the investment in geothermal has immediate and long-term benefits for the environment as well as the homeowner.

 And unlike many conventional air conditioners or heat pumps, a geothermal heating and cooling system is quiet, requiring no noisy and unsightly outdoor units to disturb your outside environment or your neighbors. Instead, all equipment is located inside, conveniently sized and constructed for quiet, efficient operation.

 In many cases, these benefits translate to higher resale values for homes that use a geothermal heating and cooling system, a benefit that becomes even more important in the current housing market. And according to the experts at WaterFurnace, homeowners who invest in geothermal systems and plan to stay in their homes can anticipate an average system life span of more than 24 years – compared to 15 years for a traditional system — less maintenance and lower lifecycle costs.

 WaterFurnace International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of geothermal and water source heat pumps. Products from WaterFurnace include energy-efficient and environmentally friendly geothermal comfort systems, indoor air quality products and pool heaters. WaterFurnace (TSX:WFI) was founded in 1983, and the company is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Ind. For the latest news and updates from WaterFurnace, connect with them on your favorite social media sites – follow them onTwitter (@WaterFurnace), like on Facebook or view the WaterFurnace YouTube Channel.

Feature photo courtesy of Waterfurnace Geothermal