5 Reasons to Consider Geothermal Heating – St. Louis HVAC Solutions

January 15, 2016

Talk with a St. Louis HVAC expert about geothermal solutions for your home. Maybe the higher cost of installation or the thought of having to dig up that flower bed you had painstakingly planted made you pass on upgrading to a geothermal system. However important your reasons for not considering a geothermal heat pump for your home, there are five compelling ones that will make you reconsider. Geothermal Heat Pumps Are More Efficient The most efficient gas furnaces on the market are able to provide an efficiency rating between 90 and 94 percent. With a geothermal heat pump, you see an efficiency rating of at least 400%. In other terms, for every one unit of electrical energy used, you get four units of energy. Geothermal Heat Pumps Operate Silently Geothermal heat pumps are much quieter than your central air conditioning unit or current heat pump. There is no outdoor unit humming over your summer barbecues and no banging as they start up on a winter night. Geothermal heat pumps operate at the same sound level as your kitchen refrigerator, making it one of the most quiet components in your house. Geothermal Heat Pumps Are Environmentally Friendly Both the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency recognize...

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Investing in the Future: Geothermal Heating for Your Home

May 15, 2015

After wind and solar energy, geothermal energy is gaining the attention of homeowners interested in green energy. The most common application for geothermal energy is in heating residential homes and commercial establishments. Listed below are five key points about geothermal heating that everyone should be aware of: 1. Geothermal Heating Is Gaining Recognition Geothermal heating technology is not just more available, but it is being used widely across the nation. A popular online resource that connects contractors and homeowners published a report stating that the requests for geothermal systems have increased by over two times in the past year. According to estimates provided by the United States Government’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Consumer Guides, there are almost 50,000 geothermal systems installed in the U.S. every year. 2. Geothermal Heating Saves Money While the upfront cost of installing a geothermal system might appear steep, it’s a smart long-term investment due to significantly reduced operational expenses. According to the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy consumer guide, homeowners typically recoup the initial investment within a relatively short period, usually around 5 to 10 years, through substantial energy savings. As societal consciousness about environmental impact grows, the allure of eco-friendly HVAC systems becomes more pronounced. Homes equipped with...

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A Geothermal System For Your Home

December 8, 2014

The term “geothermal system” is unfamiliar to some; however, the technology is quite interesting. A geothermal system requires circulation of water through pipes which run under your house to heat up the house during the winter and forces the heat and humidity of summer out into the ground. A geothermal system is actually a ground source heat pump which captures the solar energy trapped in the surface of the earth for heating and cooling. The system counterbalances itself with the change in seasons, thus providing you effective heating in winter and cooling during summer without using additional energy, except for the pumping system, and saves you quite a lot of money in energy costs. The Importance of Location A geothermal system is a good option for your new house or if you are remodeling. Before you decide to invest in a geothermal system, it is essential that a thorough study of the location and surrounding area is undertaken to check the feasibility of operation of the new technology. There are St. Louis HVAC consultants available who can carry out the feasibility study and advice you for choosing the best and most effective solution for your requirements. The most important requirement for a geothermal system is land. A geothermal system requires plenty...

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Busting Geothermal HVAC Myths

August 22, 2014

Ten myths about geothermal heating are eliminated. You may be interested in how installing a geothermal HVAC system would benefit your home. Learn more about geothermal heating and get the facts. Myth #1 Geothermal systems are not renewable technology since they consume electricity. Fact: Geothermal HVAC units require only one electricity unit to produce five units of hot or cold air in a building. Myth #2 Wind power and photovoltaic are better renewable technologies than geothermal systems. Fact: The amount of kilowatt-hour consumption removed by geothermal HVAC systems from electric grids for every dollar used is four times bigger than the amount provided by wind power and photovoltaic systems. Although these technologies have a significant role, geothermal HVAC systems provide a cost-effective method of reducing environmental impact while enhancing comfort inside buildings. Myth #3 Geothermal systems require a huge space for polyethylene piping earth loops. Fact: The earth loop may be positioned vertically under the ground depending on the land features. This reduces the space required above the ground. The use of an aquifer reduces the space further. Water used on the heat exchanger is returned back to its source, which reduces the impact on the environment. Myth #4 Geothermal systems...

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Troubleshooting Checklist for Geothermal Systems

August 6, 2014

Geothermal System Troubleshooting Even though geothermal heating and cooling systems have a longer lifetime compared to a conventional central air conditioning and heating system, they can still experience problems and breakdown. Regular and scheduled preventive maintenance by an HVAC technician can avert potential issues in the system. The U.S. Department of Energy has revealed that inadequately maintained systems consume an additional 25 percent of energy compared to well-maintained systems. Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems Checklist Geothermal systems need regular maintenance to prevent breakdowns. Please feel free to use this checklist guide you in troubleshooting your problems before you call a HVAC technician. Whenever geothermal heat pumps break down or do not provide adequately cool or heated air, it may be necessary to seek the assistance of a St. Louis HVAC company, who specializes in geothermal systems. However, homeowners can check on the system prior to getting assistance from an HVAC technician. This geothermal troubleshooting checklist can pinpoint typical issues affecting the system. Season setting: Many homeowners request for technical assistance for something as simple as a wrong thermostat setting. The thermostat setting should be checked to ensure that the proper setting is selected for the particular season. Temperature setting: The heat pump will...

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Scott-Lee Heating Company, Inc. Honored by Enertech Global for Promoting GeoComfort® Geothermal Systems

June 24, 2014

Honored By Enertech Global (CARLYLE, IL – April 24, 2014 by Enertech Global) Enertech Global, manufacturer of GeoComfort geothermal heating and cooling systems, hosted its annual Dealer Meeting April 23-24, in Carlyle, IL. Attendees experienced a great event with access to industry information, geothermal-focused breakout sessions, and celebrated its top dealers from 2013. Scott-Lee Heating Company, Inc. was one such dealer recognized by Enertech Global for their dedication and sales achievements last year. Scott-Lee Heating Company, Inc. is located in St. Louis, Missouri and received their sales award for being one of the top GeoComfort dealers in a nine state territory. 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. We are extremely proud of all our award winners who are going above and beyond, providing quality geothermal systems to their customers, said Steve Smith, President of Enertech Global. They’ve made the commitment to educate themselves, learn the equipment, and install each and every unit to create the ultimate comfort experience for the homeowner. GeoComfort geothermal units are designed to harness the earth’s natural energy for heating and...

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Twenty Interesting Facts About Geothermal Energy

May 9, 2014

Geothermal heating and cooling systems can result in significant energy savings. Geothermal heat pumps use far less electricity and produce less noise compared to conventional HVAC systems. The best thing is that geothermal systems have a long lifespan of up to 20-25 years and require minimal maintenance. The Benefits of Geothermal Energy HVAC experts believe that geothermal systems may require a higher initial installation cost, but they pay themselves off in terms of lower energy bills, low maintenance, high durability, and high efficiency. Here are some interesting facts about geothermal energy and how it impacts our environment and our lives. Geothermal energy is generated by tapping heat stored under the earth’s surface. Geothermal energy provides less than 10% of the world’s energy. Geothermal energy is green energy as it poses no threat to the environment. Geothermal energy is cheap compared to conventional energy forms. Geothermal energy is a leading source of energy in Iceland. The country sources 18% of its electricity from geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is primarily used in electricity generation and heating. Geothermal energy is tapped from the earth using geothermal heat pumps. Geothermal energy use produces very low greenhouse emissions; it produces only 3% of the emissions of a fossil...

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Use This Tax Credit Before the End of the Year

November 4, 2013

Do not miss the opportunity to claim the 30% tax rebate for geothermal heating systems. Put aside for a moment how environmentally friendly they are or how they can cut up to 70% off of your utility bills. Forget for now that they are more quiet and reliable than ordinary air conditioners and heat pumps. Focus instead on the tax break being offered by the federal government if you have one installed in your home or business. The Federal Tax Credit 2014 is right around the corner. Do not miss out on your opportunity to claim the 30% tax rebate being offered to homeowners who have a geothermal heating system installed. All you need to do to qualify is have purchased and installed a system that exceeds the requirements of the energy star program after 2007. You will not be required to provide any proof of purchase, but you should retain all receipts in the event of an audit. Business owners also can benefit from a tax credit of 10% if they install a geothermal heating system on their premises. Your Return on Investment A geothermal heat pump is an expensive investment initially. There is a need to dig large...

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Why Use Geothermal in Your Home or Business?

August 21, 2013

The Benefits of Using a Geothermal Heat Pump Geothermal heat pumps are ground source heating/cooling systems that use solar heating to provide energy. They get their heat from the sun and are energy-efficient, as well as a cost-efficient, system for heating and cooling your home or business. They provide year-round reliable heating and cooling and provide energy-saving opportunities. The EPA has reported that compared with other air-source heat pumps or electric resistance heating, the use of geothermal heat pumps reduces energy consumption and emissions by 44% and 72%, respectively. Cost and Maintenance There are multiple benefits to a geothermal system. These include a very high efficiency, which in turn reduces the cost of the system and the need for maintenance. Installation costs are competitive and once the system is installed, it requires a very minimal amount of maintenance and does not require a high cost of operation. In fact, in the heating and cooling world, geothermal systems are some of the most cost-efficient. Water source heat pumps are among the easiest to maintain. And because maintenance is so easy, the owner of the system is not saddled with the extra cost of finding a specialist to work on it. It...

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Heat Pumps: How to Make the Right Choice?

July 10, 2013

How To Choose A Heat Pump Scott-Lee Heating installs heat pumps for the St. Louis Metro Area. Heat pumps are great alternatives to any traditional, electrical or otherwise fueled HVAC systems. They tend to be a lot more efficient and environmentally friendly, and typically last for a longer time with moderate maintenance requirements. The only thing that keeps them from conquering the world is their relatively high price and complicated installation compared to the more popular solutions. But, as the conception of environmental awareness is becoming more and more mainstream and people are willing to invest more money in home appliances if in return the machines are lasting for a longer time, it is sensible to expect that the demand for heat pumps will gradually rise and so the prices will eventually drop. They are supplied by most HVAC companies already and have the potential to become one of the big technological stories in the upcoming decades. So, in case one is determined to move towards tomorrow today and has made up his mind on placing a heat pump in the heart of the residential HVAC system, it will not be a problem to find a supplier and installer with...

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