Did you know you can use the Earth itself as a renewable energy source to heat and cool your home? With geothermal energy, you can save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. Here’s how it can be used in your HVAC system.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
A heat pump absorbs heat from the outdoor air and uses it to warm the air inside. A geothermal heat pump does the same, only using the heat below ground. That’s because no matter what the temperature is outside, 10 feet beneath the Earth’s surface, it remains a constant 54 degrees.
A loop of pipe is buried underground, and water or another liquid circulates through it. In summer, that liquid absorbs heat from the air and uses the ground as a heat sink. In winter, when 54 degrees is warmer than the ambient temperature, the liquid is used to heat the air.
The geothermal system still needs to function as a regular heat pump to heat or cool the air the rest of the way before it circulates through your home. However, using the Earth’s renewable energy first reduces the amount of energy from the grid you need, greatly lowering your bills in the process.
Tax Credits for Geothermal Energy
As you might imagine, digging 10 feet deep in your backyard to lay a loop of pipe can be expensive. Between purchase and installation, a geothermal system can cost up to $30,000. However, it’s worthwhile in the long run. It may take a few years, but you’ll more than make up the cost in energy savings.
In the meantime, the federal government can also offset the cost of geothermal energy somewhat. A geothermal tax credit, now extended through 2034, allows you to claim up to 30% of installation costs for a geothermal system on your tax return if it’s installed by the end of 2032. If you get it in 2033, the amount you can claim becomes 26%, and 22% in 2034.
To find out if geothermal energy is right for your home, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide efficient home-comfort solutions to Lorain, Elyria, and Oberlin.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area