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The Advantages of Geothermal

What are the advantages of a geothermal heat pump?

When evaluating a geothermal heat pump, it’s important to look at all the benefits it provides:

Lifetime Savings on Heating and Cooling Bills

Geothermal systems will reduce monthly heating and cooling bills up to 70% over traditional HVAC systems. With geothermal, you do not have to worry about the volatile swings associated with fossil fuel costs.

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy of a geothermal heat pump is nearly 25 years compared to the 13-year average life expectancy of traditional furnaces and air conditioners. The ground loop portion of the system can last many years longer!

Low Maintenance

Geothermal systems have less maintenance costs when compared to traditional HVAC. This is due to geothermal equipment being kept indoors and not outside, exposed to the elements. Additionally, geothermal systems have fewer moving parts, which makes for less opportunity for a malfunction.

Hot Water Assist

With geothermal, home and building owners will experience up to 40% savings on hot water costs. How? An item within the unit, called the desuperheater, captures waste heat during operation and transfers it into the domestic hot water supply, providing hot water assist and enhancing the operation of the unit. Traditional HVAC does not have this option.

Increase Value of Home

Studies show that homes with energy-efficient features sell for as much as 8% more than expected. So, even if you aren’t planning on staying in your home for the lifetime of the system, you can get more money for your home if it has a geothermal system in it, as opposed to an oil or gas furnace. Realtors also say homes with ground source heat pumps are more desirable and sell faster than homes without.

Peace of Mind

Geothermal systems are the safest HVAC system available. Unlike gas, oil, or propane furnaces, geothermal does not rely on fossil fuels at all. Because of this, there is NO combustion or harmful fuels, which removes the potential of carbon monoxide poisoning, oil and gas leaks, or fires.

Highest Efficiency Rating

Highest Efficiency Rating

Geothermal systems have an efficiency rating approaching 500%. An efficiency rating is the ratio of heat actually generated versus the amount of energy used to heat or cool. A rating of less than 100% means you are losing energy that you are paying for. This loss is typically caused by energy consumption required for the combustion process of a fossil fuel furnace. The most efficient natural gas furnaces cannot compete, at a rating of only 98%.

Most Environmentally Friendly

According to the EPA, geothermal systems are the most environmentally friendly way to heat and cool a structure, which makes them a perfect fit for net zero homes and buildings. Geothermal heat pumps use very little electricity to heat, cool, and provide hot water. For every 1 unit of electricity used, a geothermal heat pump provides up to 4 units of heating/cooling for free by transferring heat from the ground to the structure or vice versa.

Financial Incentives

States, local municipalities, and utilities offer installation rebates, tax incentives, or low interest loans for geothermal heating and cooling systems. Find local incentives at dsireusa.org and learn more about the 30% federal tax credit for residential geothermal systems on our Financial Incentives page.

Backed by the Best Warranty in the Industry

Many heating and cooling brands claim they have the most thorough testing. We actually do. Each GeoComfort geothermal system is run and tested before it arrives at your home. We stand behind our products by offering the best warranty in the industry.
Find Financial Incentives

Choose A Technology Below To See How It Compares To Geothermal:

When comparing geothermal heating, cooling, and hot water systems to traditional HVAC systems, it’s important to note that the comparison is not apples to apples – it’s more of an apples to oranges comparison. What may appear at first glance as a ‘good deal’ on a traditional HVAC system may not be the most environmental or economical choice. See how geothermal heat pumps compare to other furnaces and air conditioners: 

  • Geothermal vs. Natural Gas

  • Geothermal vs. Propane

  • Geothermal vs. Fuel Oil

  • Geothermal vs. Electric Resistance

  • Geothermal vs. Air-Source Heat Pump

  • Geothermal vs. Wood Burner

  •  
    Geothermal
    Natural Gas
    Efficiency Rating
    500%
    98%
    Capable of Zoning
    Does Not Use Fossil Fuels or Release Harmful Emmissions
    No Combustion
    No Carbon Monoxide or Oil Leaks
    Not Impacted by Volatile Operating/Fuel Costs
    Heating and Cooling in One Unit (and hot water capabilities)
    Most environmentally friendly (According to the EPA)
    No Outdoor Equipment
    Uses the Earth’s Free Heat (For every 1 unit of electricity used, you get 4 units free)
  • Geothermal
    Propane
    Efficiency Rating
    500%
    98%
    Capable of Zoning
    Does Not Use Fossil Fuels or Release Harmful Emmissions
    No Combustion
    No Carbon Monoxide or Oil Leaks
    Not Impacted by Volatile Operating/Fuel Costs
    Heating and Cooling in One Unit (and hot water capabilities)
    Most environmentally friendly (According to the EPA)
    No Outdoor Equipment
    Uses the Earth’s Free Heat (For every 1 unit of electricity used, you get 4 units free)
  • Geothermal
    Fuel Oil
    Efficiency Rating
    500%
    83%
    Capable of Zoning
    Does Not Use Fossil Fuels or Release Harmful Emmissions
    No Combustion
    No Carbon Monoxide or Oil Leaks
    Not Impacted by Volatile Operating/Fuel Costs
    Heating and Cooling in One Unit (and hot water capabilities)
    Most environmentally friendly (According to the EPA)
    No Outdoor Equipment
    Uses the Earth’s Free Heat (For every 1 unit of electricity used, you get 4 units free)
  • Geothermal
    Electric
    Efficiency Rating
    500%
    100%
    Capable of Zoning
    Does Not Use Fossil Fuels or Release Harmful Emmissions
    No Combustion
    No Carbon Monoxide or Oil Leaks
    Not Impacted by Volatile Operating/Fuel Costs
    Heating and Cooling in One Unit (and hot water capabilities)
    Most environmentally friendly (According to the EPA)
    No Outdoor Equipment
    Uses the Earth’s Free Heat (For every 1 unit of electricity used, you get 4 units free)
  • Geothermal
    Air Source Heat Pump
    Efficiency Rating
    500%
    250%
    Capable of Zoning
    Does Not Use Fossil Fuels or Release Harmful Emmissions
    No Combustion
    No Carbon Monoxide or Oil Leaks
    Not Impacted by Volatile Operating/Fuel Costs
    Heating and Cooling in One Unit (and hot water capabilities)
    Most environmentally friendly (According to the EPA)
    No Outdoor Equipment
    Uses the Earth’s Free Heat (For every 1 unit of electricity used, you get 4 units free)
  • Geothermal
    Wood
    Efficiency Rating
    500%
    **
    Capable of Zoning
    Does Not Use Fossil Fuels or Release Harmful Emmissions
    No Combustion
    No Carbon Monoxide or Oil Leaks
    Not Impacted by Volatile Operating/Fuel Costs
    Heating and Cooling in One Unit (and hot water capabilities)
    Most environmentally friendly (According to the EPA)
    No Outdoor Equipment
    Uses the Earth’s Free Heat (For every 1 unit of electricity used, you get 4 units free)

How Does Geothermal Work?

It’s not magic, and it’s not too good to be true. See what makes geothermal a win-win for you. 

How Geothermal Works