When it comes to HVAC efficiency, nothing compares to a geothermal system. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), they use an average of 72% less energy than conventional HVAC systems. They even beat air-source heat pumps by an average of 44%. Despite that, plenty of homeowners still don’t understand geothermal HVAC and how it delivers such efficiency. Here’s everything you need to know about geothermal HVAC and why it’s the future of heating and cooling.
What Is Geothermal HVAC?
Geothermal HVAC is a type of heat pump that uses a buried refrigerant loop instead of an above-ground heat exchanger. The advantage of that configuration is that it offers a stable temperature for the heat pump to work with year-round. To understand why that’s important, you must understand how heat pumps function.
How Heat Pumps Work
You may not know it, but you likely already own more than one heat pump. Your existing AC system is a type of heat pump. So is your refrigerator. A heat pump, as its name suggests, is a device that can move heat from one place to another. To do that, they use a refrigerant and a compressor that can alter its temperature and pressure.
When a heat pump needs its refrigerant to collect heat, it reduces its pressure. That makes the refrigerant cold enough to absorb heat from the surrounding environment. Then, it uses its compressor to squeeze the refrigerant, making it hotter than the surrounding environment. That allows the refrigerant to transport the heat elsewhere and release it where needed.
In cooling mode, a conventional air-source heat pump collects heat inside and carries it outside. In heating mode, it does the opposite. That’s usually a highly efficient process, but it has a flaw. The heat pump’s function is at the mercy of the weather. Heat pumps lose some efficiency when the temperature soars outside in the summer. It happens because the maximum refrigerant operating temperature is nearer to the outside air temperature.
In heating mode, the opposite problem occurs. A conventional heat pump may struggle to collect heat energy when it gets too cold outside. If the outside temperature drops low enough, a heat pump’s refrigerant may not be much colder than the outside air. That hampers efficiency and can force the heat pump to engage an inefficient backup heating system.
The Geothermal HVAC Difference
A geothermal HVAC system avoids the major drawbacks of an air-source heat pump. It does so by exploiting the relatively stable temperatures found just underground. On average, the temperature just a few feet below the Earth’s surface hovers between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. As a result, a geothermal heat pump can always guarantee a sizeable refrigerant temperature differential. That enables efficient heat transfer, no matter the outside temperature.
Geothermal HVAC systems can operate at efficiencies other systems can’t even approach. You can expect efficiency levels between 400% and 600% from geothermal HVACs, depending on how you use them. For comparison, the best gas furnace you can buy will only achieve 98.5% efficiency. And while air-source heat pumps may occasionally hit 400% efficiency, they average around 200% seasonally.
Another advantage of geothermal HVAC systems is that they can help meet some of your home’s hot water demands. By adding a device called a desuperheater, a geothermal system can convert waste heat into usable hot water. According to some estimates, that process alone can meet up to 50% of the average home’s hot water needs.
Does Geothermal HVAC Have Drawbacks?
The sheer efficiency of geothermal HVAC should make them attractive to just about any Dallas, GA homeowner. So, you may be wondering why you don’t see more homes with geothermal HVAC systems. One of the most significant reasons is their upfront cost. On average, you can expect to pay around $12,708 for a new geothermal system. A big part of that cost comes from the installation of the required underground refrigerant loop.
If you have a large property, you can opt for a horizontal loop, cutting your costs by thousands of dollars. However, most homes don’t have sufficient room for those. In those cases, you would need a vertical loop. Installing one is similar to the process involved in drilling a well. The added equipment and labor required will drive up your costs.
The good news is that you can expect up to 50 years of reliable service from your underground geothermal loop. So, once you install one, you can keep using it with successive heat pumps as needed. That can cut the long-term cost of a geothermal HVAC system by thousands of dollars compared to conventional HVAC equipment. Plus, the efficiency of geothermal HVAC adds up quicker than you might think. According to the DOE, it takes five to 10 years to recoup the added cost of a geothermal system. After that, your future savings go right into your pocket.
Additionally, geothermal HVAC systems qualify for generous federal tax credits. Through 2034, you can claim up to 30% of a geothermal system’s cost on your taxes. The credit isn’t refundable, but you can carry it forward to lower future years’ tax liabilities.
Why Geothermal HVAC Is the Future
There is one major reason why geothermal systems are the future of HVAC: climate change. As our planet warms, conventional cooling systems will struggle to keep up. They’ll begin having the same problems conventional heat pumps do at low temperatures. However, geothermal systems aren’t dependent on outside air temperatures. That means they’ll keep running efficiently no matter how hot it gets outside.
The high efficiency of geothermal HVAC also helps address one of the leading causes of climate change. They reduce demand on our electrical grid because they use so much less energy than other HVAC systems. As much of the grid still relies on fossil fuel-burning generators, that’s a big deal. Plus, individual homeowners can further lower the environmental impact of a geothermal HVAC. They can switch to a renewable energy source like rooftop solar or purchase power from a green energy supplier. By doing that, the carbon footprint of a geothermal HVAC becomes negligible.
Your Trusted Efficient HVAC Experts
Since our founding in 1985, Precision Heating & Air has offered efficient HVAC systems in Dallas. We sell and install the latest heat pumps, furnaces, and mini-splits. We’re a Trane Comfort Specialist, so you can expect only the finest HVAC equipment from us. We also offer HVAC maintenance and repair, indoor air quality, water heater, and generator services. Our team of NATE-certified HVAC technicians are highly trained and experienced.
We even offer emergency services for comfort problems that can’t wait. We can also help you navigate available rebates and tax credits and provide financing options on approved credit. To learn more about what it’s like to work with us, check out our numerous positive customer reviews. And if you’re interested in geothermal and other efficient HVAC and heating solutions in Dallas, contact Precision Heating & Air today!
