The Benefits of Geothermal Heat Pumps

What are the major benefits of geothermal heat pumps?

When selecting a new heating and cooling system, it's best to look at the benefits it provides and see if those meet your needs. Benefits of a geothermal heat pump include:

Cost-Savings on Utility Bills

Geothermal heat pumps make it possible to lower heating and cooling costs up to 70%, when compared to a traditional furnace and/or air conditioner. With geothermal, volatile fossil fuel costs won't impact you.

Longer Lasting System

Geothermal heat pumps have an average life expectancy of almost 25 years, while traditional furnaces and air conditioners last approximately 13 years. The ground loop portion of a geothermal system lasts 100+ years!

Fewer Maintenance Needs

Because geothermal heat pumps are kept indoors away from harsh outdoor elements and have fewer moving parts, they are lower maintenance than traditional HVAC equipment. This allows for less frequent service calls and savings on maintenance costs.

Reduced Hot Water Costs

Geothermal heat pumps capture unused heat during the heating and cooling process to assist with domestic hot water supply, saving home and building owners 25% - 40% on hot water costs. A part in the unit called the desuperheater performs this function and is standard in many residential Hydron Module systems. 

Higher Home Value

People are willing to pay more upfront to save money over time, seen by the fact that homes with energy-efficient features sell for as much as 40% more than expected. Realtors report homes with geothermal sell quicker than homes with traditional HVAC. This means you'll likely recoup the costs of the geothermal system even if you don't stay in your house for the lifetime of the system.

Safer Heating and Cooling

Geothermal heat pumps do not use fossil fuels to heat and cool, which means there's no combustion or harmful fuels associated with the system. This removes the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning, oil and gas leaks, or fires possible with traditional HVAC systems.  

Highest Efficiency Rating

Most Energy-Efficient

Geothermal heat pumps are 500% efficient. For every one unit of electricity used, the system moves up to five units of cooling or heating. In comparison, the most efficient natural gas furnace is 98% efficient. An efficiency rating less than 100% means there is heat loss, typically caused by the energy used during the combustion process, which is required with a fossil fuel furnace.

Most Earth-Friendly

In addition to being the most cost-effective, geothermal heat pumps are the most environmentally-friendly way to heat and cool, according to the EPA. Because geothermal heat pumps are environmentally-friendly and rely on little electricity to operate, the systems are a great fit for net-zero homes and buildings.    

Financial Incentives

Geothermal heat pumps are encouraged by local municipalities, utilities, and states offering installation rebates, tax incentives, or low interest loans for new systems. Find incentives near you at dsireusa.org and find out more about the federal tax credit for residential geothermal systems on the Financial Incentives page.

The Best Residential Warranty in the Industry

Thorough testing is something many HVAC manufacturers claim to have. We really do and stand behind that claim with the best standard residential geothermal warranty in the industry. To ensure we deliver the best geothermal systems, each of our units is run in the heating and cooling mode before it leaves our production facility.

See How Traditional HVAC Systems Compare to Geothermal

Since geothermal heat pumps offer more, home and building owners choose to install a geothermal system for different reasons. Some focus on benefits and some on functionality. To learn more about the perks of geothermal heat pumps, see how geothermal compares to traditional furnaces and air conditioners: 

  • Geothermal vs. Natural Gas

  • Geothermal vs. Propane

  • Geothermal vs. Fuel Oil

  • Geothermal vs. Electric Resistance

  • Geothermal vs. Air-Source Heat Pump

  • Geothermal vs. Wood Burner

  •  
    Geothermal
    Natural Gas
    Efficiency Rating
    500%
    98%

    Capable of Zoning

    Does Not Use Fossil Fuels or Release Harmful Emmissions

    No Combustion

    No Carbon Monoxide or Oil Leaks

    Not Impacted by Volatile Operating/Fuel Costs

    Heating and Cooling in One Unit (and hot water capabilities)

    Most environmentally friendly (According to the EPA)

    No Outdoor Equipment

    Uses the Earth's Free Heat (For every 1 unit of electricity used, you get 4 units free)
  • Geothermal
    Propane
    Efficiency Rating
    500%
    98%

    Capable of Zoning

    Does Not Use Fossil Fuels or Release Harmful Emmissions

    No Combustion

    No Carbon Monoxide or Oil Leaks

    Not Impacted by Volatile Operating/Fuel Costs

    Heating and Cooling in One Unit (and hot water capabilities)

    Most environmentally friendly (According to the EPA)

    No Outdoor Equipment

    Uses the Earth's Free Heat (For every 1 unit of electricity used, you get 4 units free)
  • Geothermal
    Fuel Oil
    Efficiency Rating
    500%
    83%

    Capable of Zoning

    Does Not Use Fossil Fuels or Release Harmful Emmissions

    No Combustion

    No Carbon Monoxide or Oil Leaks

    Not Impacted by Volatile Operating/Fuel Costs

    Heating and Cooling in One Unit (and hot water capabilities)

    Most environmentally friendly (According to the EPA)

    No Outdoor Equipment

    Uses the Earth's Free Heat (For every 1 unit of electricity used, you get 4 units free)
  • Geothermal
    Electric
    Efficiency Rating
    500%
    100%

    Capable of Zoning

    Does Not Use Fossil Fuels or Release Harmful Emmissions

    No Combustion

    No Carbon Monoxide or Oil Leaks

    Not Impacted by Volatile Operating/Fuel Costs

    Heating and Cooling in One Unit (and hot water capabilities)

    Most environmentally friendly (According to the EPA)

    No Outdoor Equipment

    Uses the Earth's Free Heat (For every 1 unit of electricity used, you get 4 units free)
  • Geothermal
    Air Source Heat Pump
    Efficiency Rating
    500%
    250%

    Capable of Zoning

    Does Not Use Fossil Fuels or Release Harmful Emmissions

    No Combustion

    No Carbon Monoxide or Oil Leaks

    Not Impacted by Volatile Operating/Fuel Costs

    Heating and Cooling in One Unit (and hot water capabilities)

    Most environmentally friendly (According to the EPA)

    No Outdoor Equipment

    Uses the Earth's Free Heat (For every 1 unit of electricity used, you get 4 units free)
  • Geothermal
    Wood
    Efficiency Rating
    500%
    **

    Capable of Zoning

    Does Not Use Fossil Fuels or Release Harmful Emmissions

    No Combustion

    No Carbon Monoxide or Oil Leaks

    Not Impacted by Volatile Operating/Fuel Costs

    Heating and Cooling in One Unit (and hot water capabilities)

    Most environmentally friendly (According to the EPA)

    No Outdoor Equipment

    Uses the Earth's Free Heat (For every 1 unit of electricity used, you get 4 units free)

How Do Geothermal Heat Pumps Work?

It's simpler than you might think. See how geothermal heat pumps work to provide energy-efficient heating and cooling.

Hydron Module Geothermal Systems
by Enertech Global, LLC
2506 S Elm Street
Greenville, IL 62246