1.Initial Costs vs. ROI
It’s an unassailable fact: replacing your present HVAC system with a geothermal heating and cooling system is a costly proposition. Up-front costs here in Idaho Falls tend to be anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 – or above. Lot size, site accessibility, system configuration, ground conditions, and other factors play into it. So too does the amount of excavation that must be done and what sort of ductwork modifications are required. And if you’re building a new home? It’s not as expensive, usually, but it’ll still cost around 40 percent more than a standard-issue HVAC system will cost you.
Okay, you wanted the bad news first. Now, for the good news. First off, certain incentives and rebates may be obtainable at the federal, state and local levels to assist you with installation costs. Second, the energy savings you could experience with your new geothermal heating and cooling system will help you begin to recoup your initial investment right away. That means you could recoup your investment in as little as four years. But be forewarned: Local utility rates and the end cost of your installation may slow full repayment for, oh, say 15 years. Seeing as how geothermal systems typically last for upwards of 30 or 50 years, though, you’ll still make out all right. You simply have to figure out at the start what your finances can take … and how patient you are.
2.Geothermal Benefits Can Easily Outweigh Concerns About Front-End Costs
Let us itemize the major benefits:
- Compared to standard heating and cooling systems, geothermal heating and cooling could clip as much as 30 to 60 percent off your heating bills. And it could reduce your cooling costs by as much as 20 to 50 percent.
- Geothermal systems use renewable energy – heat taken from the ground.
- Geothermal heat pumps don’t run by combustion, so there are no greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc.) and no fire safety or air quality concerns.
- Since no outdoor fans or compressors are necessary, geothermal heating and cooling systems operate much quieter than ordinary systems.
- The absence of many complex moving parts and the fact that geothermal systems are protected from the elements ensure many decades of low-maintenance, top-performance use. Indoor components may hang in there for about 30 years, ground loops, about 50.
Want a little clarification on any of these issues in order to make a decision about your heating and cooling options? Turn to the Idaho Falls geothermal specialists at Conan Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re happy to help, regardless of what you decide
