Air-Conditioning Heating Directory

Archive for January 8th, 2010

If you are in the process of selecting a geothermal heat pump to install on your property, here are some things for you to consider.

First, how energy efficient is the heat pump? There are two measures to look at – the COP and the EER. The COP or coefficient of performance, measures the heat pump’s heating efficiency and its EER or energy efficiency rating, measures its cooling efficiency. In order to determine the most energy-efficient units, look for the Energy Star certification label, which indicates a COP of 2.5 or more and EER of 13 or higher.

Second, what are the specific geological and hydrological features of your land? These features would determine the best type of geothermal heat pump to install. For example, if there are bodies of surface water on your land, an open-source system may be the best choice, while if the amount of land space available for installation is limited, you may need to have a horizontal closed-loop system.

Third, how will you pay for the system? Although a geothermal system will save you a lot of money in operating and maintenance costs, you will still have to shell out a hefty initial outlay. On average, it is estimated that a geothermal system costs some $7,500 for a typical residential three-ton unit, in contrast to other systems which may set you back around $4,000. Before making your final purchase, explore options for incentives and special financing options from state, federal and local sources for energy-saving home improvements and banks for energy-efficient mortgages.