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Do you consider yourself to be an eco-friendly homeowner? When it comes to an efficient and environmentally friendly HVAC unit, nothing compares to a geothermal heat pump system.

Although geothermal heat pumps , which are also referred to as ground-source heat pumps , are more expensive upfront than traditional heating and cooling systems, they can increase the value of your home and lower your energy bills dramatically for years to come.

In our most recent blog, we discuss the advantages of having a geothermal system installed by the HVAC technicians at Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. For all of your heating and cooling needs, contact the NATE-certified technicians at Chapman today.

How do Geothermal Heat Pumps Work?

Geothermal systems have been around for more than 50 years, but they have recently gained traction due to their eco-friendly operation and lower energy consumption. As many as 50,000 systems are installed each year in the United States.

The ground absorbs almost 50% of all solar energy and remains a constant temperature of 50°F to 70°F, depending on geographical location. A geothermal unit utilizes this constant temperature for heating and cooling your home, instead of using the outside air temperature as typical HVAC systems do. Geothermal systems consist of a heat pump and a ground loop, which is a network of fluid-filled pipes that are buried underground at a depth where temperatures stay consistent throughout the year.

• For heating: the ground loop absorbs heat underground, and the fluid inside the ground loop cycles it to the heat pump. Geothermal heat pump components transfer the heat to the air, which is then circulated by the air handler into the rooms in your home.
• For cooling: the heat pump absorbs heat from the inside air. The heat is then transferred to the ground loop fluid, which releases it within the Earth.

The Benefits of a Geothermal System

Although geothermal units are more expensive to install, you can recoup the costs through energy savings over time. Other than that, geothermal units are a great addition to your home. They provide clean, quiet and efficient geothermal heating and cooling through the use of renewable energy. Some of the benefits include:

Longevity

According to Energy Star, a geothermal's inside components can last an estimated 50 years, while the ground loop is serviceable for up to 50 years.

Quiet operation

Without a compressor or fan that traditional air-source heat pumps and air conditioners use, geothermal units run in almost complete silence, guaranteeing you a good night's sleep!

Fewer breakdowns

Geothermal systems have fewer moving parts than other heating and cooling systems, which decrease maintenance costs and the chance of breaking down. This will also keep more of your hard-earned money in your wallet.

Environmentally friendly

Geothermal units are the number-one most environmentally friendly HVAC option on the market today , and second place isn't even close. Geothermal systems require no combustion, like gas and oil furnaces do, and they use renewable energy to heat and cool your home. Geothermal units can reduce enough greenhouse gas emissions that's the equivalent of taking two cars off the road or planting 750 trees!

Energy efficient

These systems can save homeowners as much as 20 to 50 percent on cooling and 30 to 70 percent on heating. That's more of your money in the bank!

Tax incentives

Speaking of savings, federal tax credits allow for homeowners to get 26% of the cost of purchasing and installing a geothermal system back in 2020 and 22% in 2021.

Contact Chapman for Installation of a Geothermal System

If you liked hearing about the energy-efficient, eco-friendly benefits of owning a geothermal, or ground-source, heat pump and want to learn more, contact the heating and cooling professionals at Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing today to speak to a representative or to schedule an appointment. The experts at Chapman can perform installation, repairs and maintenance on all types of heating and cooling systems. We can't wait to hear from you about how we can improve the comfort of your home!