With the benefits of superior efficiency and comfort, geothermal HVACs have plenty of selling points. However, there is an upfront investment that’s bigger than a traditional HVAC. Should you make an investment in a geothermal heating and cooling system with the assistance of F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling?
Upfront Costs vs. Longevity
The biggest challenge with geothermal HVAC is its upfront cost. Compared to traditional HVACs, you can expect a geothermal system to run at least 150% higher in cost.
The upside is that reduced energy consumption means that a geothermal system can save you money in the long run. You should reap the benefits of a return on the investment in a few years.
When you compare this to the expected lifespan of a traditional HVAC, the upfront cost is considerably more tolerable. Many traditional HVACs need to be replaced within 15 years or even less when routine maintenance is ignored. Conversely, a ground-loop geothermal system can last more than 50 years.
The greater longevity is because geothermal HVACs use simpler designs with fewer moving parts. A geothermal HVAC largely depends on durable loops that circulate water, antifreeze, or refrigerant. This isolates most failures to the pump, which is a relatively easy-to-replace part. Conversely, the long-term failure points in traditional HVAC units tend to be expensive and tough-to-replace parts like compressors and capacitors.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a huge selling point. Heating efficiency for many geothermal systems runs 300% to 500% compared to 80% to 95% for traditional systems like furnaces or boilers. Going above 100% efficiency is possible because a geothermal system is only moving latent heat around, rather than using fuel or electricity to generate new heat. Consequently, a system operating at 500% efficiency hits its target because it spends 1 kW of electricity to move 5 kW of heat.
SEER ratings for air conditioning elements of a geothermal system don’t have quite the same efficiency, but they still outperform traditional AC units. Conventional AC systems achieve SEER ratings of 13 to 16, with some more expensive high-efficiency units hitting a 20-to-25 SEER. A geothermal AC also performs in the 20-to-25 SEER range.
Tax Incentives
Nearly all geothermal HVAC systems on the market qualify for a federal tax credit of 30%. This credit runs through the 2032 tax year.
Connecticut also offers a rebate that may go as high as $15,000. The incentive offers $3,000 per ton of HVAC heating/cooling capacity. You will also need to check if you qualify through your utility provider since the state ties the incentive to specific companies.
In both cases, the equipment will have to meet the qualifications for each tax incentive. Contractor requirements for the installation process may also apply.
System Configurations
One of the more intriguing aspects of geothermal HVAC is the availability of multiple configurations that work well in different environments. A horizontal loop is the most common design. The loop goes into the ground at a depth of four to six feet in most cases. You will need between ¼ and ¾ of an acre of land for this design to work best.
If you don’t have a lot of available property, a vertical loop is also an option. This involves drilling into the yard and running the loop downward so it doesn’t need as much horizontal space.
A particularly intriguing solution, if you have the right property, is a pond or lake loop. If there’s a body of water on your property, you may be able to use it as the source of latent heat and cooling for your system. Water offers very efficient performance, and a large body of water serves as a superb geothermal sink.
Ductless Mini-Split Options
A small number of manufacturers build geothermal systems that work with ductless mini-splits. These are systems that use refrigerant lines to transport heat or cooling to heat exchangers in your home. The lines eliminate the need for ducts, and the exchangers eliminate the need for vents and air return registers.
Hybrid Systems
Some folks like to have a backup furnace for extremely cold weather or in case something fails. A hybrid system has a geothermal component that maximizes efficiency, and the furnace then kicks on whenever that isn’t enough.
If you use a ground loop, especially a vertical design, this should be a non-issue. The ground provides more than enough heat even during a period of very cold weather. You might want to consider a hybrid system if you use a water loop with a smaller pond because heating efficiency can decline in extremely cold conditions. While that’s rare in Connecticut, it happens.
Integration with Existing HVAC Components
With many older homes in our region, retrofitting is an important part of assessing any HVAC changes. The good news is that a geothermal HVAC can integrate with your home’s existing ductwork if you have a traditional HVAC. As noted, options are available for ductless mini-splits, too.
In many instances, the geothermal HVAC is a drop-in solution that requires minimal modification of the ductwork. Our technicians remove the old HVAC just like they would when replacing any system. They can place the geothermal system where the old HVAC was and connect the ductwork. The only notable modification will involve running lines to connect the geothermal loop to the new HVAC. These are unobtrusive, and we can usually locate the HVAC close to where the loop enters the house. This prevents the need for expensive modifications.
Property Value
The longevity of a geothermal HVAC can improve your home’s property value. Buyers like the confidence that comes with a system that can typically last 25 to 50 years, especially with many installations lasting beyond that. The odds are excellent that your geothermal HVAC will outlast your mortgage. Even if you plan to move sooner than the payback period ends, the improved resale value alongside incentives is likely to offset the upfront cost.
Geothermal heating and cooling are also very steady ways to make a house comfortable. Consequently, there aren’t big swings in temperature after a cycle ends.
Environmental Benefit
A geothermal system removes fuel from the equation. Longer lifespans mean less manufacturing waste, too. Combined with the overall improvement in efficiency, this makes a geothermal system an appealing investment for environmentally conscious people.
Noise Level
It’s beneficial to get rid of noisy components from traditional heating systems like furnaces and boilers, making geothermal HVAC a much quieter option. Unless you’re standing near the pump, you won’t know it is running. Similarly, you won’t have to deal with the noise of compressors and condensers from an AC unit. Other than fans in the ductwork, there is very little to create noise in a geothermal setup.
F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has been around since 1870. We are happy to handle heating and cooling work for customers in Cheshire, CT, and the surrounding areas. Whether you have residential or commercial HVAC needs, our licensed technicians will do an excellent job. We are a locally owned family business with an A+ rating from the BBB. If you’re interested in the benefits of a geothermal HVAC for your Cheshire home or business, contact F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today.
