Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature is one of the most expensive utilities on a monthly basis. Traditional electric or gas heating can be quite expensive, but there are alternatives that are cost-effective as well as being better for the environment. One option that many people aren't familiar with is heat pumps, which leverage the consistent temperature of the earth to help regulate internal temperatures. There are several different types of heat pumps that are regularly used in the U.S., including closed-loop systems, horizontal, vertical and hybrid systems. Check out these benefits of putting a geothermal heat pump system in your home. 

How a Heat Pump Works

Do you understand exactly how your refrigerator works? Probably not, but heat pumps operate under the same principles. Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat between your home and the ground, depending on whether you need to heat or cool your home. This is accomplished via a series of underground pipes that are often filled with an antifreeze solution and attached to a geothermal heat pump inside your home. The ground retains relatively constant 50 degrees all year. While this type of system can be more expensive to install upfront, the long-term benefits are significant.

1. Reduced Energy Cost

The big win is in the reduced monthly energy cost. Since you're effectively leveraging the heating and cooling power of the earth to do much of the work for you, it takes less energy to change the ambient temperature of the air in your home. 

2. Environmentally Friendly

Since the system is made up of plastic loops that can stay in the ground for 50 years or more, the systems can last for generations. The reduced exhaust emissions and the ongoing energy savings make geothermal heat pump systems an environmentally friendly option that you can feel good about using. 

3. Federal Tax Credits

Check with your tax advisor for confirmation, but there are some great Energy Star® HVAC tax credits of up to $3,000 for homeowners who go in this direction. Even a retrofit situation may offer discounts if the coefficient of performance for the system is 3.3 or above. 

4. Quiet and Calm

Installing a geothermal heat pump means that you're essentially sitting on top of an eternal energy supply — the earth! The transfer of heat is quiet and uses very little energy overall. 

Want to see how a geothermal heat pump can save you money on your energy bills and possibly even earn you some federal tax credits? Give the professionals at Action Heating & Air Inc. a call today at 859-331-2641. The warmer weather of spring will be here before you know it! Subscribe to our blog to get updates sent directly to your inbox.