There’s Still Plenty of Time to Get Tax Credits on Geothermal Heat Pumps

While many of the federal tax incentives for energy-efficient residential HVAC systems expired a couple of years ago, the tax credit for geothermal heat pumps (and home solar systems) remains in effect through 2016. This means homeowners still have a year to write off a big part of their investment for this super-efficient technology, the geothermal heat pump.

How Does a Geothermal System Work?

Geothermal systems start with a network of pipes buried on your property, or submerged in a body of water. The ground system can either be a shallow horizontal loop field or a very deep vertical loop field, depending on what sort of lot your house is built on, among other factors. A liquid solution — usually a mixture of antifreeze and water — serves as the medium of heat exchange.For heating, the solution circulates in the pipes, extracting heat from the ground, which is a moderate 50-60 degrees. The heat energy is transferred from the water solution to a heat pump unit inside the house, and then transferred into indoor air, which is distributed via a blower fan and ducts, just as with any heat pump system. Cooling with a geothermal heat pump works the same way, except that heat energy extracted from the house is transferred to the water-antifreeze solution, and then "rejected" into the ground.

Why is this So Efficient?

The energy used in a standard air-source heat pump is mainly used to extract heat energy from cold air for heating, or to release heat energy into very warm air for cooling. When the heat is being released from, or deposited into, ground or water that's neither hot nor cold, much less energy is required. This is what happens with a geothermal heat pump.

How Do the Tax Credits Work?

The energy-efficiency federal tax credit equals 30 percent of the cost of purchasing and installing an Energy Star-qualified geothermal heat pump in your home or second residence (not rentals).

For more information on installing an energy-saving geothermal heating and cooling system in your Broken Arrow area home, please contact us at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “karen roach/Shutterstock”

Don't Fall for These Geothermal System Myths

Geothermal HVAC systems take advantage of the earth's subterranean temperature. Although atmospheric temperatures fluctuate because of seasonal weather conditions, underground temperatures are surprisingly consistent at a depth of four to six feet.

Even though underground heat pump systems have been used successfully for 60+ years, geothermal system myths still abound, including:

• Durability. One geothermal system myth is that these systems are not durable. However, the earth loops that form the underground pipe network are remarkably long-lived. They can last for 50 years and typically carry an equal warranty. Water is most commonly used in the pipe network, instead of refrigerant-filled pipes.

• Noise Level. Geothermal systems are not noisy, contrary to common belief. Because the outside configuration is buried underground, it produces no noise to disturb your neighbors. The part of the system that is located indoors runs quietly. Geothermal applications are often misunderstood as one-dimensional, such as only capable of heating your home. But systems also include cooling, and they can even be configured to handle multiple tasks such as heating your home, your water inside and outside in pools.

• Space Requirements. A prevailing geothermal system myth is that you need a large yard. But even small yards can accommodate the underground network. If you have a larger yard, a horizontal configuration works well, but if your yard is small, you can have a vertical geothermal system.

• Renewability. Another myth is that a geothermal system is not a renewable energy technology. The fact is that geothermal systems reduce up to four times the consumption load on the electric grid than photovoltaic and wind power add to it.

• Cost. Perhaps the most popular geothermal system myth is that these systems are cost prohibitive to install and maintain. Although water does circulate throughout the earth loops, it is a recirculating system so there's actually no continual water consumption. The initial installation cost, which is sometimes costly, is offset by tax incentives and the overall savings over the life of the system.

Contact the experts at Air Assurance for any questions you have about installing a geothermal system for your Broken Arrow home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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4 Geothermal System Benefits That May Persuade You to Install Your Own

4 Geothermal System Benefits That May Persuade You to Install Your Own

Installing a geothermal system for heating/cooling your Tulsa area home is a good idea and could represent one of the more important decisions you make regarding your home's energy bills. With geothermal heat pumps considered as one of the most efficient and economical means of conditioning a home's interior, installations here in northeastern Oklahoma have soared.

Efficiency and economy are two outstanding benefits of a geothermal system, whether water-source or ground-source. When in heating mode, these unique heat-pump systems absorb heat from the ground or water (surface or below-ground) and transfer it to your home's interior. Because no heat is being created and no combustion occurs, heating efficiency can be as much as 300-400 percent greater than with a top-of-the-line furnace. It's also safer, with no carbon monoxide or other negative environmental effects being produced.

In cooling mode, heat is absorbed from inside your home and transferred outside, either to the ground or water source, depending on the type of geothermal system being employed. This operation is the same as with conventional air-source heat pumps, with the exception of where the heat goes once it's been removed from your living area.

Because the earth (below the frost line) and water bodies (below freezing depth) remain at a fairly constant temperature, they are a perfect source of heat in winter and an ideal repository for heat in summer. The ground loops installed to facilitate the heat transfer promoted by geothermal system operation are typically made from high-density polyethylene or copper piping and have a life-expectancy of up to 50 years.

Here are four major benefits to consider:

1. High efficiency and low, economical operating costs.

2. Low environmental impact, with zero CO, CO2 or other greenhouse gas production.

3. Quiet operation due to no need for outside compressor or fan units.

4. Less maintenance required due to fewer moving parts, leading to longer life expectancy (25-50 years).

Since being founded in 1985, Air Assurance, located in Broken Arrow, has grown to be the largest HVAC service-provider in Metro Tulsa. Please contact us for further information on geothermal or advice on any other indoor air comfort matters.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Factors To Consider If You Want To Make The Switch To Geothermal

Considering making the switch to a geothermal heat pump system?If so, you are probably making a wise decision. Geothermal, or ground-source, heat pumps offer many benefits, and their exceptional energy efficiency and durability make them a good long-term investment. However, there are a few factors to weigh before making a final decision on which type of system to install.Before making the switch to geothermal, you should first consider:

• The amount of land available - Geothermal heat pumps are energy efficient because they can pump heat to or from the ground, utilizing long loops of buried pipe to do so. Though it is possible to fit these pipe loops in almost any size yard, a larger land area allows the loops to be buried horizontally just a few feet underground. A small yard may require the loops to be sunk vertically, up to several hundred feet deep--which increases digging costs.

• Landscaping costs - Installing the loops horizontally may be cheaper, but if digging trenches across your yard would interfere with existing landscaping, a vertical installation (which disturbs little of the surface soil) may still be your best bet.

• The type of soil - Some kinds of soil are better at transferring heat between the pipes and the ground, which means less pipe (and less digging) is required.

• Nearby water sources - If you have a pond or lake next to your house, it may be possible to simply submerge the pipe loops under water. This is generally much cheaper than digging and burying the loops under your yard.

• Open loop options - Similarly, an open loop system minimizes digging by simply pumping water to and from the body of water (or the ground itself, if your property supports groundwater wells). This eliminates the long loops of pipe are otherwise needed.

• Tax credits - When doing the math on a ground-source system, remember that the 30 percent tax credit on geothermal installations is still in effect (through 2016). Also available, are rebates from PSO, or other local utility providers.

If you have questions about any of this, feel free to contact the heat pump experts at Air Assurance in Broken Arrow. We would be happy to help.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Geothermal: The Energy Gem Buried In Your Yard

The temperature of the earth is approximately 55 degrees across the globe below the frost line, regardless of climate. Geothermal heat pumps utilize this constant source of heat energy by transferring it from the ground into your HVAC system. Using the constant and free geothermal heat source below your property is a highly energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly way to condition the air inside your home.Geothermal systems consist of two parts: an indoor heat pump unit that adjusts the air temperature, and a ground loop of piping that transfers the heat energy from the earth into the heat pump via a liquid carrier. The system does not have an exterior condensing unit like conventional systems, and therefore runs much more quietly.Geothermal is a ubiquitous heat energy source that does not depend on the variable utilities market. Because heat is transferred rather than generated, a geothermal system does not rely on typical fuel sources such as gas, propane or electricity. The best gas furnaces available on the market provide up to 94 percent efficiency, while a geothermal system provides up to 400 percent efficiency.The initial cost of a geothermal system is higher than with conventional systems because of the need to drill into the ground to install the ground loop. However, because of the gain in energy efficiency, the initial costs are recoverable over the payback period, which will vary depending on your energy usage and system size. Check to see if you qualify for current federal, state and local tax incentives, which are available to help consumers recover higher initial costs and encourage the use of the virtually limitless heat source beneath their feet with geothermal.For more information on how geothermal systems can provide efficient heating and cooling to your home, contact the experts at Air Assurance. We've been providing quality products and services to Broken Arrow residents for more than 30 years.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our current promotionsand get started today!     Photo courtesy ofShutterstock.