2 Critical Defiance Geothermal Heating and Cooling Considerations

1.     Initial Costs vs. Payback

You can’t get around it: replacing your present HVAC system with a geothermal heating and cooling system is an expensive proposition. Front-end costs here in Defiance tend to be anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 – or above. Lot size, site accessibility, system configuration, ground conditions, and other conditions]17] account for that. So too does the amount of excavation that must be done and what type of ductwork modifications are necessary. And if you’re building a new home? It’s not as budget-busting, overall, but it’ll still cost about 40 percent more than a standard-issue HVAC system will cost you.

Okay, you wanted the bad news first. Now, for the good news. First off, certain incentives and rebates may be obtainable at the federal, state and local level to help you bear the installation costs. Also, the energy savings feasible with your new geothermal heating and cooling system will help you begin to recoup your initial investment almost immediately. That means you could recoup your investment in as little as four years. But , then again: Local utility rates and the end cost of your installation may hold up full repayment for, oh, say 15 years. Since geothermal systems often keep working for upwards of 30 or 50 years, though, you’ll still be in good financial shape. You just have to decide sooner rather than later what your finances can take … and how patient you are.

2.     Geothermal Benefits Can Easily Offset Worries About Up-Front Costs

Allow us to list the top benefits:

  • Compared to standard heating and cooling systems, geothermal heating and cooling could clip as much as 30 to 60 percent off your heating bills. And it could minimize your cooling costs by as much as 20 to 50 percent.
  • Geothermal systems use renewable energy – heat removed from the ground.
  • Geothermal heat pumps don’t work by combustion, so there are no greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc.) and no fire safety or air quality concerns.
  • Because no outdoor fans or compressors are needed, geothermal heating and cooling systems operate much quieter than traditional systems.
  • Since there aren’t many moving parts at all and geothermal systems are protected from the elements, you’re assured many decades of low-maintenance, top-performance use. Indoor components may be good for about 30 years, ground loops, about 50.

Want further information on any of these points in order to make a decision about your heating and cooling options? Visit the Defiance geothermal specialists at Schlatters Plumbing Heating & AC. We’re glad to help, no matter what you decide.