With each passing day, more homeowners in Lyndon, KY, learn about the benefits of geothermal HVAC systems. However, a variety of misconceptions about geothermal HVAC technology persist. To remedy that, we’ll clear up eight misconceptions people have about geothermal HVAC systems.
Geothermal Systems Need Plenty of Room
If you’re under the impression that your home needs a big backyard to install a geothermal >HVAC system, think again. By installing the necessary ground loop piping vertically, it’s possible to install a geothermal system almost anywhere. So, unless you live on the tiniest of properties, there’s no reason you can’t use a geothermal system.
Geothermal Systems Are Expensive
Another common misconception about geothermal systems is that they cost too much to be economically viable. That may have been true when the technology was new, but not today. The costs of installing geothermal HVAC systems continue to decline each year and are affordable for most homeowners.
It’s Costly to Maintain Geothermal Systems
Since geothermal systems rely on underground loops, people tend to think that they’re a nightmare to maintain. They imagine that a leak in the system will cost a small fortune to repair. In reality, the underground loops of modern geothermal systems will last up to 50 years with little to no maintenance.
Also, you can expect up to 20 years of reliable service from the above-ground parts of your geothermal system. That’s on par with a modern furnace and more than you might expect from a conventional air conditioner. All you need to do is stay on top of regular maintenance, as you would with any other HVAC system.
Geothermal Systems Only Provide Heat
Here in Lyndon, KY, most people worry more about the heat of the summer than the cold of the winter. Unfortunately, it’s also a common misconception that geothermal systems only provide heat. In reality, geothermal systems can cool your home efficiently and for a fraction of the cost of conventional air conditioning.
The reason they can provide heating and cooling is that the temperature underground remains constant year-round. In the summer, the underground temperature is cooler than the surface air temperature. In the winter, it’s warmer than the air outside, thus providing a ready source of heat.
Geothermal Systems Are Loud
One of the oddest misconceptions about geothermal HVAC systems is that they make more noise than conventional HVAC systems. In reality, the opposite is true. Geothermal systems are mechanically simpler than most conventional systems and run quieter, too.
Geothermal Systems Aren’t Renewable
Since geothermal HVAC systems consume electricity to function, people tend to think they’re not a renewable HVAC solution. In fact, geothermal systems use a fraction of the electricity that conventional systems do. That makes them one of the most cost-effective ways to lower a home’s carbon footprint without sacrificing comfort.
Geothermal HVAC Can’t Supply Hot Water
Most people assume their home will need an electric or gas-powered water heater to go with their geothermal system. That’s because it’s a common misconception that geothermal systems can’t handle the extra load required to supply hot water. However, a properly sized geothermal system can also supply your home with an ultra-efficient hot water supply.
Geothermal Systems Aren’t Efficient
The last misconception about geothermal HVAC systems is that they’re not as efficient as people say they are. Lots of homeowners believe that the latest ultra-efficient gas-powered furnaces are just as efficient. They also believe that there are conventional air conditioners that can equal the efficiency of a geothermal system.
In reality, geothermal HVAC systems are incredibly efficient. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal systems consume up to 72% less energy than conventional HVAC systems. There’s no other HVAC technology that’s more efficient than a geothermal system.
Now that you know the truth about the geothermal HVAC misconceptions covered here, why not take the next step? Contact KLM Heating & Cooling today, and we’ll design and install a new geothermal HVAC system in your home.
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