The past several years there has been a push for systems and appliances to be more and more energy efficient, so how can you heat and cool your home more efficiently? An excellent answer is to choose a geothermal system. If you had the chance to save tons of money, and to be more environmentally friendly, why wouldn’t you? The initial choice to install a geothermal system is a major one, but with the energy savings it offers and the tax credits available, it is one that you will not regret.
 
A geothermal system works by using the earth’s natural energy to heat and cool your home. Since the earth’s energy is a renewable resource, you’ll never have to worry about it running out. This system eliminates toxins created from other systems such as gas furnaces from entering the air. Both the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy agree that having a geothermal heat pump is an environmentally friendly and a cost efficient way to cool and heat your home.

The basic process of how this system works is similar to a heat pump, with one major difference. Instead of having an outdoor condenser that tries to move heat to or from the outside air, water loops are installed underground. These loops collect the free heat that is stored in the earth’s crust from the sun. The loops are matched with an indoor system that moves the heat between the water to the air to achieve your desired temperature. During the colder months the heat is extracted from the ground and used to heat your home; it can also provide water heating. During the warmer months the heating process is reversed, heat is extracted from the air in your home and is either moved back into the earth or can be used in your hot water tank. Because the temperature below the earth’s crust is constant, geothermal systems can heat and cool better and more efficiently than other systems.  

Since the geothermal systems use renewable energy from the earth, there is a lot of money to be saved. According to WaterFurnace, a geothermal system can save you up to 70 percent on your heating and cooling bills on average. Considering that about 50 percent of your home energy bill comes from your heating and cooling system, this can translate into huge energy savings. To have a geothermal system installed is a big investment, but with the energy savings, and the tax credits you may qualify for, the savings can be well worth it. The federal tax credit is 30 percent, and the North Carolina state tax credit is up to 35 percent. The state tax credit is set to expire in 2015, so if it’s something you’re considering, keep this in mind. To calculate your energy savings by switching to a geothermal system, visit us at www.wilmingtongeothermal.com to see how much you could save.

If a geothermal system sounds like the right system for your home or business, please feel free to call us here at O’Brien Service Company. We will be happy to answer any questions or schedule a free in home estimate.  We like geothermal systems so much, we are installing one at our new office building!     

Jimmy Williams has owned and operated O'Brien Service Company for over 30 years. Our highly trained and versatile technicians can expertly handle complex repairs, installations, and advise you on the benefits of regular maintenance. O'Brien will work on both residential and commercial systems, and is a certified Trane Specialist. Call today to have your system serviced, or to have a free at home estimate. You can contact us by calling (910) 799-6611, or visit our website at http://www.obrienservice.com.