The fall season is a good reminder that it’s time to start thinking about the task of heating your home throughout the winter. According to the Department of Energy, the average family in the United States spends about $1,900 a year on utility bills. Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted. The key to saving energy and money is to look into energy efficient improvements for your home.
A St. Louis
geothermal home comfort system utilizes the abundant source of free solar heat energy stored in the earth. It uses a series of pipes (an earth loop) buried in the ground to move that heat into a home during the winter. According to the experts at WaterFurnace, most systems are easy to install in both new and retrofit situations. In addition to the ground loop (either horizontal or vertical), the system also requires ductwork to distribute conditioned air through the St. Louis home or business.
Although the initial investment in a geothermal system may be greater than the investment in an ordinary system, the long-term return on that investment ensures it is one worth making. The energy source is both free and renewable, and the average system lifespan exceeds 24 years—compared to 15 years for an ordinary system.
For most homes, the payments connected with installing the new system will be entirely covered by the monthly savings from having an energy-efficient geothermal system. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers geothermal systems to be one of the most efficient heating and cooling systems available.
Installation of a geothermal system begins with a visit from your St. Louis geothermal dealer. The dealer will measure your house, calculate your heating and cooling needs and assess your property to decide the best location for your loop system. If your house doesn’t have a preexisting duct system, your geothermal dealer can easily retrofit your home and provide one.
Once installed, a geothermal system requires less maintenance than a conventional heating and cooling system and runs more efficiently, delivering an astounding five units of energy for every one unit of electrical energy used. That translates to a 500 percent efficiency rating and savings up to 70 percent for heating, cooling and hot water costs.
Another benefit -- geothermal systems use no fossil fuel and emit no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or other greenhouse gases. Homeowners experience added comfort, improved indoor air quality and less noise as they minimize their carbon footprint.
St. Louis homeowners that put in a geothermal system before December 31, 2016 can benefit from a federal renewable energy tax credit of 30% the total cost of the system. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, this tax incentive is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2009. Homeowners may also take advantage of utility rebates and state tax incentives where available to make geothermal systems more affordable than ever.