The earth is a great source of heat. In fact, the earth stores
47% of the solar energy that reaches us, making it a natural
source of heat for our homes. So, it makes sense that your
backyard can be a great energy source for heating and cooling
your home.
As the seasons change, outdoor air temperatures
fluctuate. However, ground temperatures about 4 to 6 feet
below the earth’s surface remain relatively moderate
and constant year-round. A geothermal system involves installing
an electrically powered ground source heat pump in the basement
that circulates a water-based solution through a loop system
that is buried in the earth to take advantage of these constant
temperatures. The system moves the heat from the ground into
the home using the same technology a refrigerator uses to
remove heat from food. During the summer, the system is simply
reversed, pulling the heat from the building and carrying
it through the system and placing it in the ground. This process
creates free hot water in the winter and delivers substantial
hot water savings in the summer. The system can be installed
in single-family or multi-family structures, as well as commercial
buildings. The pumps can be installed on almost any size lot
– under lawns, landscaped areas, driveways or the building
itself.
The Department of Energy (DOE) and the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have both endorsed ground
source heat pump systems as among the most energy efficient
and environmentally friendly heating, cooling and water heating
systems available. The system is clean and reliable, and it
makes us less dependent on foreign oil.
As part of the Emergency Economic
Stabilization Act of 2008, HVACR tax incentives for homeowners
and businesses have been extended. With the new American
Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, the $2000 tax
credit limit has been removed. The new legislation covers
installations from Jan. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2016.
Benefits of installing a geothermal system
include:
• Saving 30% to 70% on monthly utility bills
• Investment can be recouped in as little as 3 years
• Claim up to 30% of the installed cost in tax credits
in the year the system is placed into service.
(Capped at $2000 for system installed in 2008; no cap for
2009 and beyond).
• An extension of the Commercial Building Tax Deduction
until 2013 allows building owners to deduct up to $1.80/square
foot for improvements in overall performance
• Reduces the carbon footprint, urban smog and acid
rain, global warming
• The smallest installed system is equal to planting
an acre of trees or removing two cars from the road
• 100,000 installations will save 37,500,000,000 BTU’s
of energy and $750,000,000 in heating, cooling and hot water
cost, plus reduce pollutants by 2,160,000 tons over a 30-year
equipment lifespan
