Keeping your Vernon Hills, Illinois, home warm during the winter months can be very expensive. Rising energy bills are never fun, but shivering all winter long isn’t a great alternative. Instead of compromising your comfort, consider upgrading to a geothermal heating system. A geothermal heating system comes with a number of benefits, making it an economical and eco-friendly choice.
Cost Savings of Geothermal Heating
The main reason that homeowners start looking into a geothermal heating option is to save money. While the upfront cost for installation is more expensive than a traditional heating system, the cost savings over the life of the unit makes it much more appealing. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the additional costs associated with installing a geothermal system will be returned in as little as ten years.
A homeowner can save up to 65 percent over the cost of traditional heating methods, such as gas or oil. The energy savings could be up to 70 percent when compared to a typical furnace.
Reduce Environmental Impact
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes geothermal heating as the most cost-effective and environmentally safe option available to homeowners. A geothermal system uses small amounts of electricity to transfer heat between your home and the ground, harnessing the heat from the earth to keep your house warm and comfortable. Since the system uses so little energy, it reduces your home’s impact on the environment.
A geothermal system also produces an average of four units of energy for every single unit used to generate heat. This energy can be used to heat water for use in your home, reducing the need to use additional energy for your water heater.
Safe and Clean Energy
Since a geothermal unit doesn’t use any type of fossil fuels, it offers a safe and clean alternative form of energy. Many homeowners worry about the risk of combustion, especially when using a furnace powered by natural gas. Older units may still have flames as their pilot lights, and the combination of an open flame and gas flowing through the system can pose a dangerous situation. Another risk of a traditional heating system is a gas leak, but geothermal systems don’t have this risk. A way to lessen any potential risk is to have your geothermal unit installed by our trained, certified professionals, who have extensive experience in the HVAC industry.
Comfort
When you upgrade to a geothermal heating system, you may wonder if your home’s comfort will be compromised. After all, you’re relying on the heat from the earth to raise the temperature within the house. This concern is quickly eliminated when you relax in a home with geothermal heating. In fact, the geothermal system can offer more even heating of your space, since it doesn’t produce the blasts of alternating hot and cold air that commonly occur with older furnaces and air conditioners. A geothermal system can also dehumidify the air, for improved comfort.
Quiet Operation
When your furnace turns on to start heating the home, you probably hear some noises coming from the unit. While thumping, grinding, or clanking noises aren’t normal, there are sounds that can come from a furnace during routine operation. With a geothermal heating system, the operation is much quieter. It operates on the same principles as your freezer or refrigerator, keeping the sounds to a minimum.
Extended Life
A traditional heating and cooling system will typically last for about 10-15 years. One of the major components of your cooling system is housed outdoors, which means it’s susceptible to the elements and changing weather conditions. Outdoor units also tend to get clogged with dirt, leaves, and other debris, reducing efficiency and requiring repair or replacement more frequently.
A geothermal unit eliminates the need to store any part of the system outdoors. All components are stored indoors or underground and out of the changing climate, which can help extend the lifespan of the unit. A geothermal system can last for 20 years or more with proper maintenance, which includes changing the filter and periodic check-ups by an HVAC technician.
Learn more about a geothermal heating system for your home by calling Ireland Heating & Air Conditioning Co. at 847-388-0108.
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