A few months ago, my air conditioner completely died. I woke up in the middle of the night covered in sweat, and I didn't know what to do. The next day, I called an HVAC expert, and they came out to inspect my system. It turned out that it had failed because of filthy filters and a clogged return duct, which made me sick to my stomach. I had caused the problem, and I needed to learn how to fix things. My HVAC professional taught me a few easy maintenance techniques that I didn't know before, so that I could maintain my new system. Check out this blog to learn more about HVAC yourself.
When you're building a new home, costs can add up quickly. As such, it may be tempting to say "no" to certain features just because they're more costly than other options. Geothermal heating and cooling systems are an example of this phenomenon. Since they cost a lot more than traditional forced air or boiler systems, many people decide against them for their new home. But if you can somehow find the funds, geothermal systems really are a better choice. They're well worth the higher cost for the following reasons.
Geothermal Systems Run Entirely on Electricity
Most types of heating systems burn fuel—whether it's natural gas, propane, oil, or wood—in order to generate heat. Geothermal systems, however, just run on electricity. The electric-powered system moves heat from below the ground into your home, or vice versa in the summer. Nothing has to be burned. If you don't have other gas-powered appliances in your home, you do not need to have a gas connection or a propane tank. You only need to have an electrical connection, and you only have an electricity bill. This may save you a bundle if you are building in the country where running gas lines or installing a fuel tank can be very costly. In fact, not having to run gas lines may account for the extra cost of the geothermal system.
Geothermal Systems Are Good for the Planet
Your wallet is not the only one that benefits when you reduce your fuel consumption with a geothermal system. Even though natural gas is a more clean-burning fuel than coal or oil, it is still a fossil fuel, and burning it still generates greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Propane is also a fossil fuel that causes the same issues. Both of these fuels are also limited resources, so once they're gone, they're gone—humans cannot make more! Electricity these days is increasingly being generated from renewable sources like hydropower and solar power. As such, an electric geothermal system is better for the planet than a gas or propane furnace.
Geothermal Systems Are Reliable
If you were to opt for propane or oil-powered heating, such as if natural gas connections were not available in your area, you would count on a tank being full in order to power your system. What if the oil company is not able to deliver and you run out of oil? You won't have heat! With a geothermal system, you don't need to keep a tank full. All you need is an electrical connection, and if you have a generator, you'll even have heat when the power goes out.
Geothermal Systems Last a Long Time
Because the pipes for geothermal systems are placed well below ground, they have to be made very sturdily. Digging them up to make repairs is hard! As such, these systems are made to be very long-lasting and durable. The indoor equipment associated with such a system lasts about 25 years, and the outdoor components last 50 years or more. Compare this to the 20-year life expectancy of a furnace, and a geothermal system starts to look like a very smart choice. You could buy one geothermal system or two furnaces in the same time frame.
Geothermal systems may seem pricey, but they save you money on energy, are better for the earth, last longer, and are more reliable than other types of heating and cooling systems. If you think geothermal may be the right heating and cooling choice for your home, reach out to local services such as West County Heating and Cooling. They could help you determine your options.
Share26 November 2018
