What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Geothermal HVAC Systems

With a focus on sustainable energy sources to heat and cool our homes, many Raleigh and surrounding area homeowners are adapting their homes to be more energy efficient through the installation of geothermal heat pumps. 

Geothermal heating and cooling systems are great alternatives to traditional gas-burning furnaces and electric units that rely on harmful fossil fuels and electricity to control temperatures in your home. Just like any home improvement repairs and replacements, installing a geothermal HVAC system has its benefits as well as its drawbacks. 

Our geothermal services professionals at A&T Well Pump have the info you need to make a decision on whether or not a new geothermal system installation is right for you and your home. 

What is a Geothermal HVAC System? 

Geothermal heat pumps are highly efficient heating and cooling systems that draw heat from the Earth’s surface and transfer it into your home to heat it in the winter. Alternatively, in the summer months, the geothermal HVAC system pulls heat out of your home and transfers it back into the ground, keeping your home cool. 

How Does a Geothermal HVAC System Work? 

Using refrigeration technology, the geothermal system cycles either water from a nearby water source like a pond or your home’s well, or a refrigerant liquid, through a series of underground pipes called “loops.” 

During cold, winter months, the heat pump cycles this liquid through its pipes, drawing heat from the soil, rocks, and underground water to heat the pipes and liquid inside. Through a heat exchanger, the liquid is vaporized into the air of the home to create warmer temperatures. 

When it’s warm outside in hotter months, how a geothermal heat pump works is the opposite way. Only, during this heat exchange, the heat exchanger draws heat from the air from within the home and the liquid in the pipes absorbs that heat. This heated liquid is now dispersed back into the ground, leaving the interior of your home cooled off. 

What Are Closed Loop vs Open Loop Geothermal HVAC Systems?

There are two different structures to installing a geothermal heat pump system in your yard– either a closed loop system or an open loop system. Choosing which is best for your home usually comes down to the amount of square footage available for underground trenching and excavation and whether or not you have water sources nearby. 

Closed-loop geothermal HVAC systems continuously circulate the same water and refrigerant mixture within their closed pipe system, using the same liquid to draw and disperse heat to and from the home.

Open loop systems use water from a nearby water source to circulate transferred heat to and from the home, eventually dumping the water out of the pipes back into the earth before taking in, cleaning, and cycling new water. This “pump and dump” system is ideal for homeowners who have less square footage to work within their yards and who have a nearby water source. 

If you have a well pump on your property, an open loop geothermal system will draw water from your well pump system and then dump that water back into the ground after use. 

Benefits of Geothermal Heat Pumps

There are many benefits to installing a geothermal HVAC system, so let’s cover some of the ways that this system of heat exchange is a great choice for your home’s new heating and cooling system. 

Longterm Cost Savings for Heating and Cooling

It’s true that installing a geothermal HVAC system will cost you more money upfront, but in the long run, most geothermal heat pumps pay for themselves within five to 10 years due to the low cost of maintenance and their reliability. Your monthly energy bills will significantly decrease with a geothermal unit compared to other forms of heating and cooling like furnaces or electrical units. The long-term savings are worth the upfront costs since, looking at the big picture, a geothermal HVAC system saves you money in the long run. 

Environmentally Friendly 

Geothermal HVAC systems do not rely on the burning of harmful fossil fuels that damage air quality and the environment as other systems do. Using a renewable energy source for your home’s heating and cooling needs is one way to reduce your carbon footprint. Choosing environmentally friendly upgrades to your home allows you to release yourself from the grasp of energy providers while also investing in Mother Nature, as geothermal units are known to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75%. 

Adds to the Equity of Your Home

Installing a geothermal HVAC unit for your home will increase its value. If you are in a position where you are making upgrades or repairs to your home, it’s important to know that traditional HVAC systems depreciate over time, which ends up just being a loss in investment to you, the homeowner. Installing a new geothermal heating and cooling system is a great way to invest in your home’s value. 

Imagine the position of someone looking to buy a new home– which system would be more desirable to you: the home with the traditional HVAC system that burns fuel and has outrageous monthly energy bills to pay or the home with a modern, renewable energy source that will never run out and costs very little to operate? 

Works Effectively in Most Climates

Other renewable energy sources like solar and wind need specific weather conditions in order to work effectively. A geothermal heat pump will operate no matter what region or climate you live in, making it the superior choice for heating and cooling your home while still investing in renewable resources. Because the temperatures below the frost line of the earth remain consistent year-round regardless of the weather above ground, a geothermal HVAC system will always be operating. 

Incentives for Investing in Renewable Energy

When you install a geothermal HVAC unit on your property, both local state, and federal government offer incentives available to you. Whether it’s cost-saving incentives from local utility resources or it’s through tax breaks for investing in renewable energy, you benefit overall from a geothermal investment. 

Less Noise and Better Aesthetics  

Geothermal systems operate quietly, unlike the traditional heating and cooling systems that you can hear loudly click on and off and hear while running. In addition to being quieter, having a geothermal system underground means that you won’t have an unsightly HVAC unit in your yard as an eyesore. 

Drawbacks of Geothermal Heat Pumps

While there are a wealth of reasons to invest in a geothermal HVAC heat pump installation, it’s important to recognize that there are also some drawbacks that could impede homeowners from making the jump to a geothermal heat pump’s renewable energy source for heating and cooling homes. 

Higher Upfront Costs When Compared to Other HVAC Systems

A new geothermal heat pump can cost between $20,000 to $50,000 upfront for the system and labor to install the complicated underground system loops. In contrast, traditional furnaces and electrical units cost much less upfront, roughly between $2,000 to $6,000. 

While the price difference of upfront cost is astounding to see, there is no question that geothermal units pay for themselves within five to 10 years due to the low cost of operation. However, not all homeowners can manage that large of an upfront cost, making it a difficult decision for many. 

Landscaping Restrictions 

Installing a heat pump on your property calls for specific landscaping needs. If you live on rocky terrain or hills or if you have a smaller property that needs an open looped system, but no water source nearby to draw from, your land may not be capable of a geothermal loop system installation. 

Open Loop Systems Need a Nearby Water Source 

If landscaping restrictions limit the availability of a closed-loop system, your home needs to have a nearby water source to draw water from as well as a place to dump used liquid back into the earth. If your home’s well pump needs repairs or a well water system replacement it can affect the effectiveness of your geothermal unit’s performance. 

Limited Service Options 

Since geothermal HVAC systems are still relatively new, a lot of heating and cooling companies do not yet offer services due to a lack of expertise. If you are looking for a Raleigh, NC area HVAC specialist, be sure to check that they are capable of installing a geothermal unit prior to your consultation. 

Contact A&T Well and Pump for NC Geothermal Services 

Are you ready to stop paying big energy companies your hard-earned money by investing in a low-cost operation and renewable energy source for your home? 

At A&T Well Pumps, we offer geothermal HVAC installation services to Raleigh area residents looking to upgrade the heating and cooling systems in their homes. 

Contact us today at  (919) 291-4063 or fill out our contact form below.