Geothermal Heat Pumps

A horizontal loop field can be less expensive than vertical drilling, but requires more space, as shown at this larger installation at an electric co-op.

In the South, heating and cooling account for a large percentage of home energy use. A geothermal heat pump, also known as a ground source heat pump, is among the most efficient types of heating and cooling systems to consider installing in your home.

Even when it is extremely hot or cold outside, the temperature a few feet below the ground’s surface remains relatively moderate. A geothermal heat pump system uses this constant ground temperature to help heat and cool your home.

Geothermal heat pumps use up to 44 percent less energy than traditional air-source heat pumps, and up to 72 percent less energy than electric resistance heaters combined with standard air conditioners, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

A geothermal heat pump system has three main components:

• A collector, or loop field, which is in the ground and cycles a liquid, like antifreeze, through dense plastic tubing;
• A heat pump in your home; and
• A duct system that distributes heated or cooled air throughout your home.

During the winter, the collector absorbs the stored ground heat and the liquid carries that heat to the heat pump, which concentrates it and blows it into the ductwork, warming your home. In the summer, the heat pump extracts heat from the home and transfers it to the cooler ground.

The collector that exchanges heating and cooling with the ground can be set up in one of three main ways:

• Horizontal system: Plastic tubing is placed in trenches four to six feet below the ground’s surface. This system works well when a home or business has sufficient available land, as these systems may require up to 400 feet of trenches.
• Vertical system: A drill digs 100 to 400 feet below the surface and places the tubing. This system can be more costly, but will have less impact on any existing landscaping and can be used on smaller lots.
• Pond system: If you have access to a pond or lake sufficiently wide and deep, a pond system (also known as a water-source heat pump) may be possible. The loop field is connected to the heat pump and then placed at least eight feet below the water’s surface. This option can be the least expensive.

Geothermal systems typically cost more than other heating systems, largely because of the collector and the digging or drilling, but their high efficiency can reduce payback time. The cost will vary based on whether new ductwork is needed and the type of collector you install, among other factors.

The North Carolina Renewable Energy Tax Credit, which included geothermal systems, expired in 2015. Currently, no such state tax credit is in place. However, there is a 30 percent federal tax credit for installing an Energy Star-rated system before the end of 2016. So if your system and installation cost $20,000, you could take $6,000 off your federal tax bill. Check with your electric co-ops for other potential rebate or financing options.

For those with high heating and cooling bills who are in the position to make a long-term investment in their home, a geothermal system is a good option to consider. And those building new homes should consider at the outset whether to install a geothermal heat pump. With new construction, the system can be included in the mortgage.

Talk with a qualified energy auditor, who can help you evaluate your options.