1) Cost-Effective and Energy Efficient: Geoexchange units operate for significantly less cost than conventional systems and typically pay for themselves in a few years. Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) can also provide hot water, which provides additional savings. The majority of the energy required to operate the system comes from the earth.
2) Valuable: Like all utility systems, Geoexchange systems are a capital improvement to your property, and add significant resale value.
3) Less Maintenance: Because they have fewer mechanical components, GSHPs dramatically cut your maintenance costs. They do not require complex ventilation to vent away potentially harmful combustion gases, and there is no combustion chamber to maintain and clean.
4) Comfortable: These systems keep the air at a more constant temperature throughout the building, which eliminates cold and hot spots common with other types of systems.
5) Safe: Geoexchange systems are safe and protected from harsh weather elements. GSHPs do not have an open flame, flammable fuel or potentially dangerous fuel storage tanks to worry about. The circulating fluid in the ground loops can be a non-toxic antifreeze solution. Unlike conventional furnaces, GSHPs carry no risk of accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
6) Versatile: A GSHP can be installed in a structure of any size, any age, in any part of the world. It can be installed on any size lot: under lawns, parking lots, driveways, playgrounds or the structure itself.
7) Quiet: Many owners never know their units are running. Unlike exterior air conditioning units, GSHPs have no large, noisy fan units to disturb outdoor activities.
8) Durable: Geoexchange units last much longer than conventional heating and air conditioning units because they are protected from the weather and have fewer moving parts. Heat pump manufacturers offer warranties up to 10 years, and with proper maintenance, the rest of the system can easily last five times that long.
9) Environmentally Friendly: The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency have both endorsed geothermal systems. They conserve natural resources by providing efficient climate control, thus lowering emissions and carbon footprints.
10) Tax Incentives: GSHPs are also part of governmental tax credit programs for both residential and commercial applications.
11) No need for a conventional back-up system.