1. Starting Costs vs. Payback
No two ways about it: replacing your current HVAC system with a geothermal heating and cooling system is a costly proposition. Front-end costs here in Columbus tend to run anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 – or higher. Lot size, site accessibility, system configuration, ground conditions, and other matters account for that. So too does the amount of excavation that has to be done and what sort of ductwork modifications are required. And if you’re having a new home built? It’s not as expensive, generally, but it’ll still cost around 40 percent more than an ordinary HVAC system will cost you.
Okay, so much for the bad news. How about some good news? To begin with, various incentives and rebates may be obtainable at the federal, state and local level to help you bear the installation costs. Then, too, the energy savings you could experience with your new geothermal heating and cooling system will start returning your initial investment right away. That means you could recoup your investment in as little as four years. But understand: Local utility rates and the end cost of your installation may delay full repayment for, oh, say 15 years. Given that geothermal systems often last for upwards of 30 or 50 years, though, you’ll still come out ahead. You just have to determine early on what your finances can weather … and how patient you are.
2. Geothermal Benefits Can Easily Outweigh Any Anxieties About Starting Costs
Allow us to itemize the top benefits:
- Compared to traditional heating and cooling systems, geothermal heating and cooling could nick as much as 30 to 60 percent off your heating bills. And it could shrink your cooling costs by as much as 20 to 50 percent.
- Geothermal systems use renewable energy – heat taken from the ground.
- Geothermal heat pumps don’t run by combustion, so there are no greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc.) and no fire safety or air quality concerns.
- Given that no outdoor fans or compressors are necessary, geothermal heating and cooling systems are much quieter than traditional systems.
- Since there are few moving parts and geothermal systems are shielded from the elements, you’re pretty much guaranteed many decades of low-maintenance, top-performance use. Indoor components may last about 30 years, ground loops, about 50.
Looking for a bit of clarification on any of these points in order to make a decision about your heating and cooling options? Talk with the Columbus geothermal experts at Patriot Air Comfort Systems. We’re glad to help, no matter what you decide.