The fall season is a good reminder that it’s time to begin thinking about the task of heating your home during the winter months. According to the Department of Energy, the average family in the United States spends roughly $1,900 a year on their utilities. Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy gets wasted. The secret to saving energy and money is to look into energy efficient improvements for your home.
A Bloomington
geothermal home comfort system makes use of the abundant source of free solar heat energy trapped in the earth. It uses a series of pipes (also known as an earth loop) buried in the ground to transfer that heat into a home throughout the winter. According to the experts at WaterFurnace, most systems can be easily installed in either new or retrofit situations. In addition to the ground loop , which can run horizontal or vertical, the system also requires ductwork to dispense conditioned air through the Bloomington home or business.
Although the original investment in a geothermal system may be greater than the investment in an ordinary system, the long-term return on that investment ensures it is one worth making. The energy source is both free and renewable, and the typical system lifespan exceeds 24 years—compared to 15 years for an ordinary system.
For most homes, the payments associated with installing the new system will be entirely covered by the monthly savings from having an energy-efficient geothermal system. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers geothermal systems to be one of the most proficient heating and cooling systems offered.
Installation of a geothermal system starts with a visit from your Bloomington geothermal dealer. The dealer will measure your home, calculate your heating and cooling requirements and assess your property to establish the best location for your loop system. If your home doesn’t have a preexisting duct system, your geothermal dealer can simply retrofit your home and provide one.
Once installed, a geothermal system needs less maintenance than a conventional heating and cooling system and operates more efficiently, delivering an astounding five units of energy per one unit of electrical energy used. That converts to a 500 percent efficiency rating and savings up to 70 percent for utility expenses.
Another bonus -- geothermal systems don’t rely on fossil fuel and emit no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or other greenhouse gases. Homeowners receive added comfort, enhanced indoor air quality and less noise as they lessen their carbon footprint.
Bloomington homeowners that put in a geothermal system before December 31, 2016 can benefit from a federal renewable energy tax credit of 30% the total investment of the system. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, this tax incentive can be used for installations dating back to January 1, 2009. Homeowners may also benefit from utility rebates and state tax incentives where available to make geothermal systems more cost efficient than ever.