How Can Geothermal Energy Be Used for Home Heating in Grafton, WI?
Professional Services Heating, AC & Electric Repair
January 28, 2025
Geothermal energy is not as popular as solar or wind energy in the sustainable energy niche, but it’s every inch as effective. More homeowners in Grafton, WI, and the surrounding areas are waking up to the efficacy of this source of renewable energy and exploring ways to tap into it.
What is geothermal energy? How can geothermal energy be used for home heating? Professional Services, the premier provider of geothermal services in Grafton, WI, covers all you need to know in this post.
What Is Geothermal Energy?
In the most basic sense, geothermal energy refers to the heat energy contained inside the earth’s crust. This heat energy means that the earth’s temperature 10 feet below surface level is always around a constant 55 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year — even when the surface temperature plummets to the teens here in Grafton, WI.
People use the heat energy beneath the earth in different ways, including heating the home.
How Can Geothermal Energy Be Used for Home Heating?
The only way to use geothermal energy for home heating is to install a ground-source heat pump (GSHP). GSHPs work like air-source heat pumps, with the only difference being that they draw the heat energy from the ground (instead of the air) to heat a home.
The system consists of two main parts:
- The ground loops. These are pipes buried in the ground that contain refrigerant. The refrigerant cycles the loop, absorbing the heat from the earth.
- The main heat pump unit. This part of the system works like you’d expect of similar HVAC units, pulling the heat from the refrigerant and compressing it into usable heat that will be transported across your home via a heat exchanger.
In the summer, your ground-source heat pump can reverse function to pull heat out of your home and into the ground.
The Benefits of Using Geothermal Energy To Heat Your Home
Some of the advantages of using geothermal energy to heat your home include the following:
Energy Efficient Operation
More homeowners now consider using geothermal systems to heat their homes because of their energy efficiency. According to the Department of Energy, a geothermal heat pump can deliver efficiency rates of up to 600%. This means they can produce around six units of energy for every unit of electricity they use.
Cheaper Source of Heating
Many people asking, “How can geothermal energy be used for home heating?” often have one eye on the potential cost savings — which can be significant. According to Energy Informative, you can save up to 70% on heating (and 50% on cooling) costs by making the switch to a ground-source heat pump. This could amount to up to $1,500 in savings for many families.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Geothermal systems don’t generate heat by combustion, so they release little to no greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, you can heat your home without worrying about the environmental impact.
Longer Equipment Lifespan
Geothermal systems don’t have as many moving parts as traditional HVAC systems. Therefore, you won’t spend as much on maintenance, and the system can still last a long time. Many geothermal heat pumps can last up to 25 years, significantly longer than the 15 years you can realistically expect from a furnace.
Is a Geothermal Heat Pump Too Expensive for Residential Use?
Geothermal heat pumps cost around $10,000 to $25,000. The exact cost will come down to the soil conditions, system configuration, etc., but regardless, that’s a significant outlay for anyone. However, it’s important to note that many federal, state, and local incentives exist to lower the burden and bring the payoff timeline forward.
You need to consider these incentives applicable to you and then factor in the potential energy savings after the system has paid for itself to accurately determine whether the heat pump is too expensive for you or not. For most people, a geothermal heat pump is more than a worthy investment.
Find the Perfect Geothermal Heat Pump for Your Home in Grafton, WI
How can geothermal energy be used for home heating? By installing a ground-source heat pump that is the adequate size for your home. At Professional Services, we’ve made GSHPs more accessible to property owners in Grafton, WI, and the surrounding areas.
We’ll work with you to install the perfect-sized unit that will deliver energy-efficient heating (and cooling, don’t forget!) for the next two decades or more. Contact us today to schedule a consultation about your new unit or if you need further help
understanding geothermal heating and cooling.
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