Is Geothermal Heating More Energy Efficient?

December 17, 2024

Geothermal energy has become a very sustainable source of energy for homes across the St. Louis, MO area and beyond. By using the natural heat from the earth, we can efficiently heat and cool your residence. However, before choosing to install such a system, you should know a little more about it. Let’s look at the basics of geothermal energy, including whether it is more energy efficient than other options. What Is Geothermal Heating? A geothermal heating system can utilize heat from the earth to warm your home. It can even be used for electricity generation in different systems. Not only is this an efficient option for heating, but it can also reduce your carbon footprint and protect the environment. Heat is extracted from the earth and transferred to your home through a system of underground pipes and a geothermal heat pump. The heat pump functions as the furnace in your home. Some homes also have a backup furnace installed for times of the year when the temperature outside makes it less efficient to use geothermal technology. Considering the Efficiency of Geothermal Heating Most homes will find it more efficient to use geothermal heating. When you run a traditional furnace...

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12 Reasons to Use a Geothermal Heat Pump in Your Home

December 22, 2023

12 Reasons to Use a Geothermal Heat Pump in Your Home A geothermal heat pump taps into the Earth’s constant underground temperatures to provide efficient heating and cooling for homes. It uses a series of pipes buried underground to transfer heat to or from the ground. Geothermal systems work well in various homes, particularly those with the right climate, soil and ground conditions, like those in St. Louis. They are ideal for both new and existing homes, offering energy efficiency and cost savings while minimizing environmental impact, making them suitable for a range of residential settings. If you’re wondering whether your home could benefit from geothermal heating, check out these top 12 benefits. 1. Energy Efficiency Geothermal heat pumps enhance a home’s energy efficiency by utilizing the stable temperatures beneath the Earth’s surface. This minimizes the energy required for heating and cooling, resulting in lower utility bills. The consistent underground temperatures allow the system to operate efficiently year-round, reducing overall energy consumption and environmental impact. 2. Cost Savings Homeowners transitioning to geothermal heat pumps experience multifaceted cost savings. Lower utility bills stem from the system’s energy efficiency, reducing both heating and cooling expenses. Geothermal systems typically have fewer maintenance needs...

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Residential Geothermal System Tax Credits and Incentives for 2023

May 20, 2023

Residential Geothermal System Tax Credits and Incentives for 2023 The American Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) includes: 30% tax credit: for geothermal systems placed in service from January 1, 2022 until December 31, 2032 26% tax credit: for geothermal systems placed in service from January 1, 2033 until December 31, 2033 22% tax credit: for geothermal systems placed in service from January 1, 2034 until December 31, 2034 Paying taxes is a natural part of life. Every year, you need to file with the IRS. Whether you work for a company or yourself, you pay a rate based on how much you made in the previous year. Taking deductions is a great way to reduce the total amount you owe. You’ll find deductions when you donate to a charity or work from home and have a dedicated office. There is also a geothermal tax credit for 2023 that helps you save as well as other incentives for making your home more energy efficient. What Is Geothermal Heating and Cooling? Geothermal heating and cooling systems are alternatives to traditional HVAC systems. This system consists of various pipes filled with a special type of liquid. When the sun beats down on the ground,...

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How Much Does a Geothermal Installation Cost?

April 5, 2023

How Much Does a Geothermal Installation Cost? If you’re thinking about the future of heating and cooling in your home, then you might be considering a geothermal system as an option. This kind of system holds lots of appeal to homeowners who want to reduce their environmental footprint and save money at the same time. However, the cost of installation is a common concern because it’s very different than just buying a conventional HVAC unit to replace another conventional model. Geothermal systems might cut your heating costs in half and even reduce your cooling costs by one-third, but they have much higher installation costs. There are a number of factors that go into this. What Will a Geothermal System Cost Me? The average homeowner can expect a total geothermal installation to fall in a price range starting at $18,000 and going up to $30,000. Bigger homes with a high-end system might need to spend $30,000 up to $45,000. Your home size, your location, and your current ductwork all factor into the price equation. So does your available land, the kinds of soils present, and your local climate usability. Fortunately, prices for geothermal systems are trending downward over time. Annual growth...

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All About Geothermal Installation for Your Home

March 20, 2023

All About Geothermal Installation for Your Home Geothermal heating and cooling systems are becoming an increasingly popular option for homeowners looking to reduce their energy costs and environmental footprint. These systems use the stable temperature of the earth to provide efficient heating and cooling for homes, offering a renewable and sustainable alternative to traditional HVAC systems. While geothermal systems require a significant upfront investment, they provide significant long-term savings on energy costs and will even increase the value of your home. What Is a Geothermal System? Geothermal heating and cooling systems, also known as ground-source heat pumps, use the constant temperature of the earth to provide more efficient heating and cooling for buildings. The system consists of a network of pipes, known as a loop, that is buried in the ground either horizontally or vertically. This loop is filled with a water or refrigerant solution that absorbs heat from the earth in the winter and releases it into the home, and vice versa in the summer. A heat exchanger is used to transfer the heat from the loop to the home’s heating and cooling system, which then distributes the heated or cooled air throughout the building. Because the temperature of...

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Do Geothermal Heat Pumps Use Gas?

November 9, 2022

Do Geothermal Heat Pumps Rely on Gas? Here in Saint Louis, MO, geothermal heat pumps offer an environmentally friendly and economical HVAC option for homeowners and businesses. Since the technology’s relatively new to the area, however, plenty of people don’t quite understand how it works. At , we field questions about geothermal heat pumps all the time. One of the most common among them is whether or not geothermal heat pumps use gas to operate. To answer that question, here’s an overview of how geothermal heat pumps work that explains exactly how they heat and cool the buildings they serve. What Powers a Geothermal Heat Pump? To get right to the point, geothermal heat pumps don’t use gas. They operate exclusively on electricity. However, they don’t use the electricity itself to heat or cool a building. This is the point that tends to confuse people who have no experience with geothermal technology, and for good reason. Traditional heating and cooling methods are energy-intensive. Gas or oil-powered furnaces burn fossil fuels to generate heat. Most of them also rely on electricity to power the fans that circulate the heated air around your home. Conventional air conditioning systems also use electricity to...

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Profit By Having a Geothermal Heat Pump System

July 3, 2022

Profit By Having a Geothermal Heat Pump System If you’re thinking about a geothermal heat pump system for your home or business, “running the numbers” to see how your budget can benefit over time is slightly different. You’re investing in a system that lasts longer than standard HVAC equipment and provides efficiencies much more than the typical fraction of the energy burned or consumed. Because of the geothermal energy source, your efficiency can be well beyond 100%. Up to 400% or four times the energy input is possible. At , we can help you put the numbers on paper and see the real benefits geothermal provides in energy use reduction and operational cost stability for your home. There are two things to know about geothermal: it’s a renewable energy source drawn from the earth, and the mechanism used is standard heat pump technology. These two facts make calculating your financial advantages from using a geothermal heat pump system relatively straightforward. You’ll find there are several reasons why relying on this renewable energy can give you a great return on your investment, including: Long life, typically 50 years or more Equipment similar to home heat pump systems 5-10 year payback time...

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Why Use a Geothermal Heat Pump in Your Home or Business

June 16, 2022

Why Use a Geothermal Heat Pump in Your Home or Business Are you interested in geothermal systems in St. Louis, MO? You may have heard that the pioneering Missouri University of Science and Technology has been using geothermal energy since 2014. They use it to heat and cool 17 of their campus buildings at over 50 percent energy savings, and consider the project a resounding success. At , our decades of experience shows that green energy like geothermal provides great environmental and economic benefits. Geothermal is independent of the weather, using small amounts of energy to access large reserves in the earth. About 50,000 homes per year install geothermal in the U.S. That number is rising as homeowners and businesses understand the many benefits and straightforward technology involved. Some of the factors to consider with geothermal HVAC systems include: The long-term return of a geothermal investment The importance of green and renewable energy in your life or business operation The effect on your property of installing geothermal Service requirements, costs, and schedules Advantages for those who value independence in their energy source choices Even the enjoyment that many people experience from putting amazing technologies to work How Geothermal HVAC Works...

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Is a Geothermal Heating System Right For Your Home?

May 20, 2016

Geothermal heaters are an environmentally friendly and efficient option available to homeowners. There are a number of choices to consider when choosing the best HVAC system for your home. HVAC systems are installed based on the requirements of your home – either stand-alone or in combination with gas furnace heaters or electric heaters. Geothermal heating systems are an environmentally friendly and efficient option available to homeowners. What are Geothermal Heaters? Geothermal heaters use naturally available heat inside the earth to heat up a living space. Using electricity to run, geothermal heaters have three or four parts, comprising of a heat-generating loop, an indoor unit, and the ductwork. A four-piece heater has an additional air handler. Types of Geothermal Heater There are two types of geothermal heaters, which vary on the type of heat exchanging ground loops. Water source geothermal heaters – This type of heater makes use of water pumps and refrigerant-to-water heat exchangers and tubing that is buried into the ground to extract the earth’s heat. Geoexchange heaters – These heaters use copper-based refrigerant tubing by directly attaching them to the ground, for more efficient heat transfer. Both these types of geothermal heaters are dependable and use electricity. However, the direct geo-exchange heaters prove to be more efficient in the long run...

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Recognized by Enertech for Promoting GeoComfort Geothermal Systems

May 6, 2016

Local St. Louis business, Scott-Lee Heating Company, Inc., is recognized by Enertech as one of the nation’s premier geothermal installers! (GREENVILLE, IL – April 20, 2016) – Local residents don’t have to look far to find a highly qualified geothermal installer to help them reduce their carbon footprint and save money on monthly utilities. Enertech Global, manufacturer of GeoComfort geothermal heating and cooling systems, hosted its annual Dealer Meeting April 13-18, celebrating its 20th anniversary, and recognizing its top dealers from 2015. Local St. Louis business, Scott-Lee Heating Company, Inc., is one of the nation’s premier geothermal installers, having earned the Double Diamond award during the 20th Annual Enertech Global Dealer Meeting held in Cancun, Mexico. They offer the complete line of GeoComfort geothermal equipment and accessories for residential and commercial heating, cooling and hot water comfort systems and have significant experience installing and servicing these systems. Enertech President and CEO Steve Smith presented Scott-Lee Heating Company, Inc. with the distinguished award for demonstrating excellence in sales, installation and customer service. “We believe we have the best dealers in the industry,” said Smith. “They can be counted on to provide the ultimate comfort experience for the homeowner, and to hold...

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