Geothermal heating and air conditioning in Indianapolis, Indiana saves homeowners money throughout the year. Geothermal HVAC systems are an energy-efficient option to heat and cool homes for significantly less than traditional HVAC systems. Watch your utility bills drop every single month with this green system!
Williams Comfort Air wants homeowners to reap the rewards of this incredible system, but first, you need to know the facts before you choose the right path for you. Luckily, we have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Geothermal Heating and Air Conditioning Basics
The ins and outs of this energy-efficient option must be discussed before we get into all the benefits. Geothermal heating and air conditioning systems are entirely underground, which can be confusing to understand if you have no experience with geothermal heating and air conditioning. However, the process is simple once you understand the science.
Because everything lives underground, that means all the pipes are buried on your property – this component is called a ground loop. The heat pump and ducts are inside your home like with traditional HVAC systems, but the pipes relay energy from underground. The ground stays at 55 degrees no matter the temperature outside, which makes it perfect for consistent temperature control.
A water-refrigerant solution travels through the pipes to transfer heat to and from your home. When temperatures inside your home are hotter than outside, the geothermal heating and air conditioning system removes the heat from your home, then transfers it to the ground. With cold indoor temperatures, heat moves from the ground to your home—again, through that water-refrigerant solution.
Where Geothermal Heating and Air Conditioning Systems Are Placed
Geothermal systems go underground, which means certain needs must be accounted for so the system works like it should. It’s good to know which circumstances are the best for geothermal heating and air conditioning to make the best decision for your home. One type of geothermal system may be better for your home than the other, so make sure to take your environment into account.
- Existing water sources. Ground and surface water both contribute to the functionality of a geothermal system. In an open-loop system, groundwater must be present for the system to work. A closed-loop system, however, does not need surface or groundwater because it uses the water-refrigerant solution previously mentioned.
- How much land. Every property is different. Certain properties require one type of system over the other because of that. There are two positions for these systems. Horizontal positions work best with larger properties. Smaller properties benefit from the vertical orientation. Both orientations work the same. It all depends on the amount of land available.
- Kind of soil. Next, consider the quality of your soil. Some types of soil transfer heat easier than others, which impacts the quality of your geothermal heating and air conditioning. Soil everywhere stays at 55 degrees, so temperature isn’t an issue. However, dry soil may need watered from time to time to ensure the geothermal system works as intended.
The Benefits of Geothermal Heating and Air Conditioning
Now that the process of geothermal heating and air conditioning has been explained, we move on to all the awesome benefits. Homeowners need hard facts to make such large decisions, which is why we provided all this information about the benefits.
- Heating and air conditioning. Other HVAC systems require a heating system and an air conditioning system, but with geothermal systems, you get two systems in one. You experience the pleasure of a warm home in the winter and a cool home in the summer without the hassle of changing the settings on your thermostat. Plus, this means you spend less on utilities because the system only uses what it needs.
- Saves you money. Now for the benefit, you’ve been waiting for—savings. This systems saves you money over time because it uses 25% to 50% less energy than traditional systems. Because geothermal systems use less energy, it keeps your utility bill low. Over time this system saves you up to 60% in utilities! Even if the rest of these benefits don’t interest you, this drop in price can’t be beaten.
- Lasts a lifetime. Many geothermal heating and air conditioning systems last up to 50 years, which means you probably won’t need to replace it more than once in your lifetime. Traditional HVAC systems usually last about 10 years, so geothermal operates reliably for five times longer. The heat pumps themselves last close to 25 years, which also trumps traditional systems.
- Makes little noise. Traditional HVAC systems make more noise than most homeowners would like. Whenever traditional systems switch on or off, they make a noise. With geothermal heating and air conditioning, you experience little noise. Not only do you get a home perfectly heated or cooled, you have your peace and quiet.
- Energy efficiency. Next, think about how much energy traditional HVAC systems use. And if you use gas, then you are using a non-renewable resource. Because geothermal systems utilize the ground temperature to control its heating and cooling, it does not use nearly as much electricity to perform its temperature control. It’s the greenest HVAC solution out there.
- Fewer maintenance needs. Because the system is entirely underground, it requires little maintenance from the homeowner. Regular checks to the heat pump and ducts are necessary, and you may want to get checks on your pipes, too, but all that should be done by a professional. In an open-loop system, debris gathers in the pipes, which must be cleaned. However, that’s the only major responsibility of the homeowner. Otherwise, keep air filters changed on the proper schedule.
- Constant energy source. Green HVAC systems often need certain weather conditions to work at their best. Solar-powered options need sunlight, wind-powered ones need a breeze—geothermal only needs the ground to work. External weather has no influence over the functionality of the system. And, as previously mentioned, ground temperatures stay at 55 degrees, so the temperature never impacts the quality of the system either.
- Multiple uses. Geothermal heating systems are also able to heat water. The system works on multiple areas at once, so pools and other structures receive the same treatment as your home. Every structure benefits from the temperature control of the system.
Two Types
Geothermal heating and air conditioning systems should be installed by a professional because all of the pipes go underground. Two systems are available to you, so you can decide which is best for you. Plus, Williams Comfort Air has its own method called Williams Vertizontal™ that is an option. No matter what decision you make, geothermal heating and air conditioning provides you with perfect temperature control.
- Open-loop. In an open-loop system, the pipes buried in the ground use nearby groundwater for exchanges of heat. This means water does not circulate back through the system. Instead, it drains away from the home after it has been used. The open loop does collect debris, so make sure to clear away any obstructions so the system continues to function.
- Closed-loop. On the other hand, closed-loop systems have no open ends. Everything remains underground. The solution transfers heat from the home to the ground in the summer. In winter, the fluid removes heat from the ground and puts it in your home. The water-refrigerant solution continuously flows through the system, so nothing drains out.
Most homes that already have geothermal heating and air conditioning use the closed-loop system in a horizontal orientation, so if you are purchasing a home with a geothermal system, you are likely getting that type.
What Does Geothermal Heating and Air Conditioning Cost?
Homeowners understand that big changes to property usually costs a large sum of money to happen. Geothermal heating and air conditioning costs do fall into this category. The sticker price ranges from $20,000 to $25,000 or more, and that depends on the type of system you get and how the pipes are installed.
Upfront costs are steep for most homeowners, but payment plans are available to help cushion the blow. Plus, there are monetary benefits that come after installation so you are assured that you make that money back. Firstly, renewable energy sources add value and equity to your home, which means if you eventually decide to sell your home it will be worth more because of its energy efficiency.
Secondly, you have the opportunity for tax rebates because the geothermal system uses renewable energy sources. The government rewards homeowners for being proactive in that regard. Thirdly, the money you save in utility bills for the next 50 years keeps thousands of dollars in your bank in the long run. Every single month, you save more of your money.
Contact Us About Geothermal Heating and Air Conditioning
With all this information, you can confidently make the decision to go green with geothermal heating and air conditioning. It’s the most reliable, long-lasting renewable energy source available for HVAC systems. With geothermal, you save money and the environment at the same time. That’s a pretty great deal.
For more information about geothermal heating and air conditioning, give the experienced HVAC experts at Williams Comfort Air a call! The homeowners of Indianapolis, Indiana know that our trained technicians do whatever it takes to ensure the quality of their HVAC systems. Call today for a free estimate on your service and to learn more about our Williams Vertizontal™ geothermal installation.
