There are plenty of ways to keep your home comfortable while reducing your carbon footprint, but the most effective is a geothermal heat pump. Over time, it more than makes up for the cost in energy savings. Here’s what you need to know about geothermal energy in HVAC.
How Geothermal Energy Works
Geothermal heat pumps use the energy below the Earth’s surface to heat and cool your home. No matter what the weather is like outside, the temperature about 10 feet underground remains constant at 54 degrees. A geothermal system harnesses that energy using a loop of pipe underground with water running through it.
In summer, 54 degrees is cooler than the outdoor air. The liquid in the pipes absorbs the heat from the air and releases it underground. The cooled air then goes to a regular AC, where it’s cooled the rest of the way before being circulated through your home. Making the air comfortable requires far less energy that way, since the job is already half done.
In winter, that 54 degrees is warmer than the temperature outside, so the air absorbs the heat from the pipes before going through your regular heating system, again greatly reducing the energy it takes to make your home comfortable.
Tax Credits
The drawback to geothermal energy is the expense. Installation involves digging very deeply into your backyard, which can cost up to $30,000. However, since it also means reducing your carbon footprint and using more renewable energy, the government is keen to encourage it. That’s why there are tax credits and other incentives to offset the cost.
The now-extended federal tax credit allows you to claim up to 30% of installation costs for systems installed before the end of 2032. That’s reduced to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034, so the sooner you act, the better. Additionally, you can claim a deduction on your Indiana property taxes for a geothermal system.
To learn more about how geothermal energy can help you, contact us at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We provide Indianapolis with quality home-comfort solutions.
