If you’re looking for the most efficient HVAC solution for your Roseville, CA, home, a geothermal system might be a good choice. Geothermal HVAC systems use underground refrigerant loops to maximize energy efficiency year-round. However, they’re more complex to install than conventional HVAC systems and aren’t a good fit in every home. Here’s everything you need to know about geothermal HVAC to decide if it’s right for you.
What Is Geothermal HVAC?
Geothermal HVAC systems are heat pumps you can install that can heat and cool your home. However, they’re not the same as the heat pumps you have likely seen advertised. Those use the outdoor air to absorb and release heat alternately. Geothermal HVAC systems use the Earth itself for that purpose. The advantage of doing so is that temperatures just a few feet below the ground stay remarkably stable year-round.
A geothermal heat pump takes advantage of those stable subsurface temperatures using a buried refrigerant loop. In cooling mode, a geothermal HVAC uses its refrigerant to absorb heat from your home’s air. Then, it deposits that heat into the ground surrounding its buried loop. In heating mode, the system reverses its refrigerant flow to absorb heat from the ground and carry it indoors.
What Are the Advantages of Geothermal HVAC?
The biggest advantage of geothermal HVAC systems is their efficiency. A properly designed and installed geothermal HVAC can reach efficiencies approaching 600%. That’s well over the efficiency of an air-source heat pump or air conditioner. And it far surpasses that of conventional heating systems. Ordinary gas furnaces operate at approximately 81% efficiency. Even high-efficiency models don’t exceed 97.8% efficiency. As a result, the average home saves between 30% and 70% on its annual heating and cooling costs with geothermal.
That efficiency also makes geothermal HVAC systems an environmentally friendly option. They don’t burn any fuel, so they don’t create any harmful emissions. Their only carbon footprint comes from generating the electricity they use. However, you can pair a geothermal system with rooftop solar or another renewable energy source to eliminate that.
Another advantage of a geothermal HVAC system is that you can use it to reduce your water heating bills. That’s possible using an optional add-on called a desuperheater. It captures unused heat energy from the geothermal heat pump to augment hot water production. In the average household of four people, it can cut water heating expenses by up to 60%. The process works even better in the summer, as it can capitalize on the heat captured inside your home.
Geothermal HVAC systems also boast impressively long lifespans. The underground loop of a geothermal system can last up to 50 years. The heat pump component may last up to 25. And when the heat pump component fails, you can replace it at a lower cost than the initial system installation. Plus, a geothermal system’s ground loops require virtually no maintenance during their service life.
Finally, geothermal HVAC systems are among the quietest comfort solutions you can buy. Since they have no outdoor unit, they won’t disturb your peace and quiet outside. Plus, the average indoor unit of a geothermal HVAC emits only a low hum while running.
What Are the Disadvantages of Geothermal HVAC?
With all their advantages, you’d assume geothermal HVAC systems are an attractive option for every home. However, they are not necessarily, and a few notable disadvantages explain why that is the case. Their biggest disadvantage is their upfront cost. Geothermal HVAC systems can cost up to $35,000 on average, which dissuades many homeowners from considering opting for one.
The high upfront costs mostly come from installing the necessary buried refrigerant loops. If you have plenty of land available, you can install the loops horizontally. That’s the cheapest option, but you’ll need 400 to 600 feet of buried loops for each ton of HVAC capacity. Since most homes lack that space, many geothermal systems use vertically drilled wells instead. Those, however, cost more since drilling to the necessary depths isn’t always easy. Also, space constraints around your home might make bringing in the required drilling equipment a challenge.
Finally, the ground loops of a geothermal HVAC system can be vulnerable to seismic activity. Here in Northern California, that’s a significant concern. Medium-strength earthquakes can cause leaks that sap a geothermal system’s efficiency. Large earthquakes can break the loops entirely. In either case, repairing buried refrigerant loops can be costly.
How To Decide if Geothermal HVAC Is the Right Option
Your decision on whether a geothermal HVAC is the right option for your home will likely hinge on three factors. The first and most obvious one is cost. It’s a significant investment, and you need the financial wherewithal to make it. As you weigh a geothermal system’s cost, it may help to know that such systems have quick payback rates. You can expect enough energy savings within the first decade to recoup your upfront costs. From then on, the savings go straight into your pocket.
You should also know that geothermal HVAC systems currently qualify for generous financial incentives. One is a federal tax credit worth 30% of your system’s total cost. The credit isn’t refundable, but you can carry it forward each year to eliminate or reduce your tax bill. Additionally, local electric utility providers frequently offer rebates for homes switching to efficient HVAC systems.
The second factor you must consider is how much space you have on your property. You must consult a geothermal system designer to determine if your property can support your desired system. You must also determine if there’s enough room for the system installers to work on your property. With limited space, removing fences, landscaping, and other property modifications may add to your costs. You may even need a test well drilled to determine the feasibility of a geothermal system installation.
The final consideration is the age of your existing HVAC system. The average central air conditioning system can last up to 15 years. If you have a gas furnace, it might last for up to 20 years. Installing a geothermal system would replace all your existing HVAC equipment. If either of your existing systems is still relatively new, that would mean sacrificing your investment in them. That can compound the high upfront costs of your new geothermal system.
Local Geothermal HVAC Specialists
If you’re considering a geothermal HVAC for your Roseville home, it helps to have an expert on your side. Environmental Heating & Air Solutions offers complete HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services, including geothermal systems. We are a one-stop shop for your home’s cooling and heating services needs, and our group of expert technicians can provide air quality solutions as well. We’ve served local residents since 2010 and have deep roots in the community.
We’re also a winner of the Dave Lennox Award and the Expertise.com award for the best HVAC company in Roseville, and we are Better Business Bureau-accredited with an A+ rating. So, if you’re interested in a geothermal HVAC for your Roseville home, contact Environmental Heating & Air Solutions today!
