Geothermal technology is a great invention. It’s renewable, reliable, and efficient. Unfortunately, it’s also plagued with myths and misunderstandings that persist from when the technology was new and not well known. Below you’ll find the top three myths that we’ve encountered about geothermal heat pumps.
Myth 1: Geothermal heat won’t keep my house warm enough
Geothermal heat pumps can comfortably heat large buildings like churches, schools and hospitals. In fact, there are many NORDIC® geothermal heat pumps doing just that, at this very moment. Geothermal heat pumps have no trouble heating a home in the dead of winter, as long as the heat pump is correctly sized for the heat load of the home.
The myth originated when homeowners burning other higher heat fuels switched to geothermal. It’s true that the heat a geothermal unit pumps into your home is lower temperature, but that provides the benefit of eliminating hot and cold spots within the home, and keeping everything one comfortable, similar temperature.
When sized correctly, geothermal heat pumps do an excellent job at heating your home in the dead of winter. They’re clean, efficient, comfortable, and reliable.
Myth 2: Geothermal can’t be installed in the city.
There was once a time, when geothermal heat pumps were still a burgeoning technology, when this myth was true. Geothermal got its start in rural areas, using well water or horizontal ground loops that took up a great deal of space. Today, geothermal can be installed almost anywhere, including densely populated cities. Due to the innovation in drilling practices and techniques, geothermal heat pumps can obtain their heat source from vertical boreholes, which take up much less space than a traditional horizontal ground loop. Instead of laying the pipe horizontally in the earth, the pipes are laid in vertical boreholes. This takes up much less space. Through the use of angled drilling technology, heat pumps can be installed anywhere that has a small backyard, or even driveway space.
Myth 3: Geothermal will never be as cost effective as it is expensive to install.
This myth has, unfortunately, persisted in the public knowledge of geothermal for far longer than it should have. With the current cost of energy rising, and the cost of installing a geothermal unit lower than ever before, a new geothermal heat pump generally pays for itself in five years or less. While there are still some who are convinced that geothermal doesn’t make a good investment, there are simply too many examples of large companies making use of the technology to deny the facts any longer. Geothermal is a great technology that will reduce energy bills and pay for itself in a short period of time.
Geothermal technology is a great option for both home owners and commercial building owners alike. If you’re interested in getting geothermal installed in your home or business, get the facts today.