Geothermal

With a high-efficiency geothermal system, you can reduce your energy bills by up to 60% using the free, renewable energy stored just below your home. Instead of burning fossil fuels to create the heat, this system simply transfers stored heat energy to and from the ground. Even though outside temperatures fluctuate year-round, about six feet below the earth’s surface, it stays relatively constant year-round.

A geothermal system consists of a heat exchanger placed inside your home and ground loops made of high-density polyethylene pipes installed horizontally or vertically in the earth or submerged in a pond/lake. With a closed-loop system, an environmentally-friendly antifreeze solution circulates through thermally-fused pipes. In the winter, this solution absorbs the heat and moves it to a heat exchanger located inside your home. Here, the heat is compressed to a higher temperature and distributed using your home’s ductwork. In the summer, the process is reversed. Heat is removed from the home, transferred back to loop system, and returned to the cool ground. Open-loop systems operate similarly and can be installed where there is an adequate supply of suitable water and where the water can be discharged. The best application depends on the amount of land available and the soil conditions.

As an added benefit, any excess heat can be captured and used for your hot water needs. Enjoy free hot water in the summer and substantial savings in the winter!

Visit our New Construction page for a checklist on the steps required.

Savings

Chart showing the energy cost of a ground source heat pump is less than $1,000, propane is under $3,000, fuel oil is $3,000, and electric is $3,500.

This chart shows the estimated annual operating cost based on the heat output and efficiency of the heating system. Rates used in the calculation:

  • Electric (FH): $.11493 per kilowatt-hour
  • Propane: $2.39 per gallon
  • Fuel Oil: $3.63 per gallon

System Efficiencies

  • Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP): 300%
  • Electric: 100%
  • Propane: 95%
  • Fuel Oil: 80%.
  • Average Annual Household: 90 million British Thermal Units (BTUs)

Contractors

We developed this listing for informational purposes only. This listing does not represent an endorsement of any kind. Cloverland Electric Cooperative is not liable for the services provided by the persons or companies on this list. We encourage you to solicit more than one quotation before contracting for service. View our Geothermal Contractor Checklist (PDF).