While the Global Warming crowd is partying in Copenhagen this week, let’s celebrate by talking about something really GREEN – Geothermal energy. Basically, there is a constant temperature just underground. In the winter, you use the warmth underground to bring heat into your home. In the summer, you send the heat in your home down to dissipate in the cooler earth. The EPA estimates that homeowners could save up to 70% in heating and cooling costs by utilizing this green technology. So if your heating and cooling bills make you scream, then we’ve probably got your attention now.
Of course, the Obama administration is all over any kind of “green” energy like geothermal. Here is an informative YouTube video showing U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu touring WaterFurnace International – the industry leader in residential geothermal heating and cooling systems, of which Marshall Mechanical is an authorized dealer:
Secretary Chu was there to announce $50 million dollars in government aid to homeowners who convert to a geothermal heating and cooling system. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 a.k.a. “Stimulus Bill”, according to the video, says homeowners who install a geothermal system in their homes will be eligible for a tax credit of 30% total investment. The system must be installed by December 31, 2016 to qualify and additional incentives and/or rebates may be available depending on your area.
One of the reasons we like WaterFurnace products is their efficiency ratings. In fact, one unit has 500% efficiency. So, for every dollar spent on electricity, their system delivers 5 dollars worth of heating. The other benefits of their geothermal systems are:
- Least expensive to operate overall (even though cost outlay is higher)
- Most quiet (no outdoor unit, no ignition, no vent motor etc.)
- Very low to maintain (no outdoor unit, no combustion parts to break, etc.)
- Best in indoor air quality
For more information and to use a savings calculator, visit our WaterFurnace Geothermal heat pump page by clicking here.
So, geothermal heating and cooling systems may be very attractive to the “Greenie” who wishes they were in Copenhagen, bicycling around and drinking chocolate milk like the Danes … or to the “Thrifty Crowd” who is sick of being on the verge of a stroke every time they open a heating/cooling bill. It’s something to consider for sure – lower your bills, get a tax credit, reduce your carbon footprint – however you look at it, the technology is definitely appealing.
If you’d like to know how you can benefit from installing geothermal heat pumps in your Richmond area home, simply call Marshall Mechanical’s geothermal expert, Mike Smith, at 804.323.0189 today.
