Geo-Thermal systems create a significant reduction in the heating and cooling costs as compared to the conventional heating and cooling systems most people have in their homes today. At least that is what the industry insiders would say, but as an outside perspective, I wanted to understand how this is the case.

This article is really meant for those that want to verify the assumptions as they consider the Geo-Thermal option. This will help you understand how the industry can make the claims that you will see between 3 to 4 dollars of energy when condition your home environment with Geo-Thermal.

The best way to do this is to calculate the cost comparison based on the cost of the energy output into the conditioned space versus the cost of the power input to the system.

COP = Energy Output/ Power Input

We can use the manufacturer's tables to determine a heat pumps operating COP better yet we can measure it ourselves. The caveat is that when you are measuring high voltage equipment your better know what you’re doing, you could get bit here if you’re not careful.


There are several things to consider like air quality and comfort, but this article is about the numbers, so we will stay focused on this. When you look at the simple replacement numbers, we have to consider the value of money over time with the "asset" value of the conversation. Unlike a standard replacement job, you will be installing ground loops that circulate the glycol which have a useful life of 50 years allowing for this consideration.

It is very difficult to discuss the cost as it relates to a specific conversion because there are simply too many variables that affect the pricing.  What we can discuss are the items related to the conversion and the corresponding off-sets associated with them.

Ground Loop Installation:  Costs not part of a standard replacement, this becomes the single biggest difference in the conversion costs. This cost really should be considered in the same way you would a room addition.  This portion of the expense is permanent, so if you have to get a loan for your conversion, you can very easily term this out over a ten or fifteen year term, making the system affordable. This portion can be paid for through the savings you realize from the overall conversion.

Equipment: The first thing you will notice is the missing out-door unit. The noisy A/C or Heat-Pump unit is not necessary when you convert to Geo-Thermal. The major heating and cooling load is provided by the ground loops. This is the source of the economy in this system design.

Earth Friendly:  When you consider the operating cost of your heating and cooling requirements being reduced by up to 75%, it is a very attractive lure to Geo-Thermal. The overlooked benefit is the savings in maintenance, repair and replacement costs. Then Geo-Thermal becomes an easier decision to make. Resources that are not used help preserve the earth’s resources.

30% Tax Credits: The Federal Government recognizes the clear and distinctive long-term benefit of Geo-Thermal conversion for homeowners that they allow a 30% tax credit for the total cost of the conversion through 2016. This is significant in creating even greater advantages to consider this option.

In the final analysis, Geo-Thermal is a superior option on all anlges provided that you intend to live in your home for a long period of time. This way you will experience firsthand the efficiency and added comfort of a superior heating and cooling system that really will make a noticeable improvement in your homes comfort.  
Earth Saving
According to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency:

• Geo-Thermal heat pumps are the most cost-effective, energy-efficient and environmentally clean heating and cooling system available in the United States representing the best in environmental technology.

• Geo-Thermal heat pumps reduce energy consumption and emissions by more than 40% compared to congenital forced air HVAC systems and more than 70% compared to electric resistance heating with standard air-conditioning equipment.

• Replacing an HVAC system with a Geo-Thermal system will reduce the amount of pollution equivalent to not driving your car 140,000 miles and planting 750 trees, or three-quarters of an acre of rain forest.

• The average house contributes more greenhouse gas emissions than the average car.

The U.S. General Accounting Office estimates that if Geo-Thermal heat pumps were installed nationwide, they could save several billion dollars annually in energy costs and substantially reduce pollution.

Currently, nine percent of the United States’ total energy consumption is for residential heating and cooling. Many utility companies are counting on Geo-Thermal heat pumps to reduce peak electric demand and lessen environmental pressures stemming from conventional HVAC systems. The use of Geo-Thermal systems will help eliminate power spikes that cause brownouts. By flattening the overall power demand, this will reduce the need to build more power plants to keep up with the growing demand. The additional benefit is reduced air pollution in the process.
Energy Saving

Geo-Thermal heating and cooling systems are at least three times more efficient than fossil fuel systems. In energy consumption, the Geo-Thermal systems will use on average:

• 75% less primary energy than oil
• 48% less primary energy than natural gas
• 33% less primary energy than air-source heat pumps

33% of the energy required by air-source heat pumps and central air conditioners

Today, more than 650,000 Geo-Thermal heat pumps are installed in the United States, resulting in an annual savings of 5.2 billion kWh, 26 trillion BTUs of fossil fuels and reduced electricity demand by 1.7 million kW. These systems are the equivalent of:

• Taking 840,000 cars off the road
• Planting 250 million trees
• The elimination of nearly four million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere
• Saving 14 million barrels a year of crude oil, which 70% comes from offshore sources.

Consumer Satisfaction
Surveys of Geo-Thermal owners contacted by the Department of Energy and participating utility companies nationwide indicate a higher level of consumer satisfaction for Geo-Thermal heat pumps than any other HVAC systems as they returned the following result:

• 99% would recommend the system to family and friends
• 95% said overall operation met or exceeded their expectations
• 94% said they would buy a Geo-Thermal system again

 
Top reasons consumers select Geo-Thermal systems

• Cost effective – the savings on their monthly utility bills.
• Comfortable - constant, even comfort with no hot or cold spots
• Safe and clean - no flame, no odors; just safe, reliable operation.
• Quiet - no noisy outdoor compressor
• Versatile - compatible with nearly any home, regardless of terrain or weather conditions. Environmentally friendly-emits no CO2, a major contributor to indoor and outdoor air pollution.
• The elimination of outdoor or rooftop units means the system is not exposed to temperature extremes, dirt, pollution or vandalism.
• Geo-Thermal systems have a lower life-cycle cost than conventional systems, even in the heat and humidity where the demand for air conditioning is the highest.
• Geo-Thermal systems have longer equipment life than conventional HVAC systems with an average life of 24.2 years.

Getzschman Heating has been a NEBRASKA family owned company since 1960, serving the Fremont, Blair, Council Bluffs and Greater Omaha Go Green with Geo-Thermal markets. Brothers; Scott, Ron and David have been personally involved  in the day to day operation of the business. From winter's chill through the dog days of summer, our primary goal at Getzschman Heating LLC is to keep your home comfortable and safe for your family.

We offer you peace of mind, ensuring your equipment operates safely. We will help you save money on your utility bills by servicing your equipment to operate at its highest efficiency. We do this so you have relief from undependable, more expensive equipment, this will deliver greater overall comfort and savings.

We provide this site as a public resource and point of reference for the public. If you're still looking for additional information, please don’t hesitate to call, ask for Ron Getzschman, he is more than happy to find the information you’re looking for.

This site is specifically designed to help you become an informed consumer when it comes to your home's heating and cooling systems. You’re welcome to explore this site at your leisure and are encouraged to check back for changes and updates. This site has been completely redesigned for ease of use to provide quick concise information you need. We hope that you will find this information useful in your effort to learn more about the systems you have in your home and learn about the benefits they have to offer.

If you're research stirs up questions about possibly replacing your system, add on equipment or even find the need to schedule a services call, please do not hesitate to call our offices.

• If you're interested in replacing your old outdated—and possibly inefficient—heating or cooling system, check out how we ensure your satisfaction when you chose us (Click Here).
• If you're tired of having uncomfortable rooms that are either 'too hot' or 'too cold' this page is for you (Click Here).
• Learn how you can save money through our Heating & Cooling Maintenance Plans (Click Here).
• Curious about what's inside your home's duct work? Here's an informative page to help you decide is duct cleaning for you (Click Here). 

You'll find we find that our tradition of personal and quality service is  at he  core of our company's values and is the greatest impression we leave our customers with when do work for them.

To understand why we take such extraordinary steps compared to others  is to know the level of commitment we have in the local community where we live and work.  We do this by investing in the training  of our staff and  by providing equipment we believe will deliver the Comfort, reliability and safety we would expect for our own families . By doing what it takes to ensure each customer's complete satisfaction, Getzschman Heating LLC is welcome in more homes in 50 Mile Radius of the Omaha Metro Area than any other service provider, after all, we are the company with the technicians you can trust with your house keys®

When we have prolonged sub-zero temperatures, some homeowners may have trouble maintaining desired comfort levels in their homes without supplemental heat. The best supplemental heating source is a UL Listed electric space heater. We do not recommend using a fireplace for supplemental heating since heated indoor air will be going up the chimney and actually make the problem worse.  Also, we do not recommend using an open oven door or stove (gas or electric) due to safety concerns of having these appliances on and often left unattended.   Another action is for homeowners to heat the garage which helps cut the heat loss on any rooms adjacent or above the garage. The best heat source for a garage is a gas fired infrared heater.

Why are some homes uncomfortable?  The engineering standard for sizing heating systems in the Omaha Council Bluffs metro area is 70 degrees indoors when it is 0 degrees outdoors for a 70 degree temperature difference. So if a furnace is sized exactly correct, it would be running 60 minutes out of every hour when the temperature is 0 outside and the thermostat inside was set at 70. Hence if it was -10 outside then the maximum temperature indoors would only be 60 degrees!

Two things help to prevent 60 degree homes. One is when the temperature dips below zero; it doesn’t normally stay that low very long. Our homes have thermal mass, which resists change and delays the drop in indoor temperature.  The second thing is many heating systems are oversized so the heating output can maintain more than a 70 degree temperature difference.

For more information on this or other heating topics, please contact Ron Getzschman at Getzschman Heating LLC.  in the office at 402-272-0289 at ext. 1016 or email Ron at rong@getzschman.com or Joe Moore@ AmeraScope Media at 402-935-7793 ext. 201, email at joe.moore@amerascope.com