Installing a ground-source heat pump or geothermal system in Plaistow can potentially be one of the best investments you can make in your home. While geothermal systems are quite a bit more expensive than other HVAC systems, they have several advantages that can make them more than worth the extra cost.
In this article, our AC and heating service pros explain all you need to know about how geothermal heat pump systems work and the benefits you can gain by installing one for your home.
Ground-Source vs. Air-Source Heat Pumps
When thinking about installing a heat pump in NH, many homeowners believe that there’s really only one option. The type of heat pump most people are at least somewhat familiar with is an air-source heat pump, which captures heat from the air inside the house or outside and then transfers and releases it in the other location. This process is exactly the same way that standard AC systems cool a house. The only difference is that heat pumps can run in reverse to heat the house as well.
Ground-source or geothermal heat pumps also use a similar heat transfer process to cool the house during the summer and heat it during winter. The difference is that they capture heat from or release heat into the ground instead of the air.
The system has a series of pipes that are buried far enough underground where the soil consistently stays at around 55 degrees. Water mixed with antifreeze continually gets pumped through these underground pipes when the HVAC system is running.
During the winter, the liquid absorbs heat from the ground as the flows through the pipes. It then gets pumped to the heat transfer unit inside the house, where the heat stored in the liquid is then used to raise the temperature of the system’s refrigerant. The antifreeze liquid then flows back outside so that it can capture more heat and bring it back inside.
When the refrigerant exits the heat exchanger, it gets compressed and becomes extremely hot. As it flows through the coil in the air handler, all of the heat gets released into the air blowing across the coil. This process heats the air. While the system is running, the antifreeze liquid and the refrigerant continually flow through two separate closed loops.
This same process is how a geothermal system cools the house during the summer, except that the heat transfer process is reversed. That means the refrigerant pulls heat out of the air inside the house and transfers it to the antifreeze liquid, which then releases the heat into the ground outside.
The fact that geothermal systems rely on the soil rather than the air to facilitate these heat transfer processes allows them to work far more efficiently than air-source heat pumps. With an air-source heat pump, you always see a fairly significant drop in heating efficiency the colder the air temperature is outside. This is a result of there being less heat in the air for the refrigerant to capture. Cooling efficiency also drops in hotter temperatures as a result of the hot air making it more difficult for the refrigerant to effectively release all of the heat it pulled out of the house.
Geothermal systems don’t have these issues since the soil that surrounds the underground coils always remains at the same temperature. That means the system always works at its peak efficiency, no matter how hot or cold it is outside. This is partly what makes geothermal systems a great choice for places like Plaistow, where the winters can get bitterly cold.
A geothermal system allows you to heat your house for far less than you’d pay to run an air-source heat pump or a furnace. In addition, you can always ensure your house stays fully warm in any conditions. With an air-source heat pump, you could experience issues with your house not getting fully warm whenever the temperatures dip into the teens unless you also have some type of auxiliary heating.
How Much Can You Save With a Ground-Source Heat Pump?
The savings you might get with a ground-source heat pump can vary from home to home, but many homeowners will see savings of around $1,500 a year or more compared to heating and cooling their house with a traditional HVAC system. The EPA estimates that most households will see between a 20% and 50% reduction in their annual cooling costs and anywhere from a 30% to 70% decrease in their yearly heating costs.
When considering whether it’s worth investing in a geothermal HVAC system, you should always be aware that the potential savings go beyond just lowering your energy bills. You’ll also save on maintenance costs, as geothermal systems have lower maintenance requirements than traditional HVAC systems. You typically won’t need to worry about having to pay to replace your heating and/or air conditioning as often with a geothermal system as well.
Traditional HVAC systems have an average life expectancy of around 12-15 years, whereas a ground-source heat pump will usually last for a minimum of 20 to 30 years. The underground coils in a geothermal system should last for 50+ years, meaning you won’t have to pay the added cost to replace them whenever your ground-source heat pump fails.
Why Now Is the Ideal Time to Upgrade to a Ground-Source Heat Pump
If you’re considering installing a geothermal HVAC system for your home, now is the perfect time to do so. By installing the system before the end of 2025, you’ll be eligible to earn a federal tax credit worth 30% of the total cost of the installation. This tax credit was originally set to be available until the end of 2032, but Congress passed a law to repeal the program and cancel it at the end of the year.
Even if you don’t install the system in time to qualify for a federal tax credit, you should still be eligible for other incentives through the state and possibly from your utility company. In New Hampshire, the NHSaves program offers rebates that can be worth up to $6,000 for homeowners who make qualifying energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes. This includes upgrading to a more efficient cooling and/or heating system. The program also offers no-interest or low-interest loans of up to $15,000 to help homeowners cover the cost of qualifying upgrades.
The rebates for ground-source heat pumps through this program vary based on factors like the size and type of the system. Most homeowners will be eligible for a rebate of $250 per ton, meaning you’d get a $1,000 rebate for a 4-ton ground-source heat pump. If you’re switching from electric resistance heating, such as an electric furnace, to a ground-source heat pump, you can potentially get a rebate of up to $1,000 per ton.
Local utility providers, like New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, Unitil and Liberty Utilities, usually have separate rebates and incentives available to their customers. However, you’ll have to check directly with your utility company to see what type of incentives they may offer.
Our Experts Can Help
When it comes to finding an HVAC company in Plaistow and the surrounding areas, no one compares with Ace Heating & Cooling. We provide custom heating and cooling solutions perfectly tailored to each customer’s specific needs and will help you find the right upgrade to both improve your comfort and save you money. We offer free estimates on new HVAC systems and honest, transparent pricing on all of our services.
To set up a consultation and get help deciding if a ground-source heat pump is right for your home, contact us today.
