Installation

Before installing any new heating or cooling system in a home, it is necessary to re evaluate and reduce the energy load of the home. A more energy efficient home will not only reduce the cost of a new system and utility bills, but it will greatly improve the comfort of your home. Before we design and install any systems, we schedule a home energy audit in which an energy auditor will recommend improvements and make estimates for cost and energy savings from these improvements. Basic improvements usually include adding insulation and air sealing measures. Energy Environmental Corporation works with and can recommend several qualified home Energy Star auditors and installation experts. Please Contact Us for references.

Geothermal heat pumps can be easily integrated with existing systems such as traditional forced air or radiant floor heating or can be installed in a new building. Forced air systems will require a water-to-air heat pump while hydronic radiant heating systems will require water-to-water heat pumps. The size of geothermal heat pump and the size of ground loop required depends on the heating and cooling requirements for your home and is critical iin ensuring the efficiency and performance of the system. Capacity for geothermal systems is measured in tons. Typically, a 3-ton setup should suffice for the average home, but home size, heating and cooling needs, local geology and soil, and land availability are all factors which will influence the correct size for your specific home. Energy Environmental Corporation is experienced in geothermal heat pump installation and can help you properly size a system.

Cost

The Economic Stimulus Recovery act of 2009 removed the cap on residential geothermal heat pump systems. Homeowners can now receive a federal tax incentive equal to 30% the cost of a qualified geothermal heat pump system. See our System Pricing for more information.

The design and installation of geothermal systems are not do it yourself projects and therefore require the services of a professional. In addition, the integration of geothermal exchange systems with other systems in a home requires special expertise. Geothermal heating system price varies depending on the type of loop system, usually either vertical or horizontal. On average, a typical home of 2500 square feet, with a heating load of 60,000 BTU and a cooling load of 60,000 BTU will cost between $20,000 to $25,000 to install. This is around double the cost of a conventional heating, cooling, and hot water system, but geothermal heating/cooling systems can reduce utility bills by 40% to 60%.

The payback for a system can range from 2-10 years, while the lifetime of a system can be 18-23 years, almost double a conventional system. Additionally renewable energy systems add value to the equity of your home. There are US tax rebates for energy efficiency improvements, including a 30% federal tax credit, and many state and utility companies offer incentives. Visit the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency at www.dsireusa.org to find incentives in your area.

Because of the upfront cost for installing geothermal heat pump systems, it is very common to finance these systems. Monthly payments for financing a geothermal system are very reasonable and can actually save a homeowner money as soon as the system is installed. Two examples of financing are listed below. For more information, including information on incentives and integrated systems cost, visit our web page on System Pricing.

Example 1
Project Cost: $25,000
Rebate / Down Payment: $5,000
Amount Financed: $20,000
Interest Rate: 7.99%
Term: 240 Months
Payment: $166.00

Example 2
Project Cost: $15,000
Rebate / Down Payment: $0
Amount Financed: $15,000
Interest Rate: 8.99%
Term: 180 Months
Payment: $142.50

Back to:

How Geothermal Heat Pumps Work
Types of Ground Loops
Benefits and Efficiency of Geothermal Heat Pumps