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Is a Geothermal Heat Pump Right for You?

Is a Geothermal Heat Pump Right for You?

Published: 9/19/2023 10:39:03 PM

Learn how geothermal heat pumps work and the many benefits they can bring to your home.

Couple drinking coffee

Conventional heating and cooling systems work hard conditioning air to keep your home comfortable. All of that hard work shows up on your energy bills. Geothermal heat pumps can provide some welcome relief, maintaining your-round comfort while using far less energy.

How geothermal systems work

Geothermal systems take advantage of the relatively constant temperature underneath the ground to provide highly efficient heating and cooling.

A system consists of the heat pump unit and a series of pipes buried underground. To provide cooling, a fluid absorbs heat from indoor air through a heat exchanger. The heat pump moves the heated fluid through the pipes where the heat is discharged underground. The fluid — now at a lower temperature — returns to the heat pump, where it absorbs more heat. In winter, this process is reversed, as heat from the ground is transferred into the home.

Geothermal heat pumps may cost more to install than conventional heating and cooling systems. However, their lower maintenance and operational costs, as well as system durability, can make it well worth the investment.

The benefits of geothermal systems

In use since the 1940s, this proven technology offers a number of advantages over conventional units:

  • Energy savings. Geothermal heat pumps use 25% to 50% less energy than conventional heating and cooling systems.
  • Humidity control. Geothermal systems provide excellent humidity control, maintaining about 50% relative humidity indoors, making them effective in humid climates.
  • Less maintenance. These systems have few moving parts; this reduces maintenance needs and increases system durability. Geothermal units typically last 20 years or more.
  • Quiet operation. Geothermal systems have no outdoor condenser or fan, so there's no worry about outside noise. The unit in the living space runs very quietly.
  • Flexibility. These heat pumps are a good fit for both system upgrades and for new construction. Geothermal system components require less space than conventional heating and cooling units.
  • Lower emissions. Since heat pumps don't burn fossil fuels to produce heat, they generate far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a conventional furnace.

Make sure your heat pump is ENERGY STAR®-certified. ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pumps are independently tested to ensure that they provide high-efficiency performance.

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Contact Info

Clay-Union Electric
P.O. Box 317
31321 SD Hwy. 19
Vermillion, SD 57069

605-624-2673 or 1-800-696-2832

Office Hours: M-F 7:30-4:00
 

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Our Mission is to provide safe, reliable and
affordable electric service to our members,
now and into the future!

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  • Home
  • Your Account
    • Capital Credits
    • Start Service
    • Pay Online/My Account
    • Billing FAQ
      • Billing Cycle and Due Date
      • Budget Billing
      • Payment Options
      • Rates
      • SD Energy Assistance
    • Yard/Street Light Repair
  • About Us/History
    • Nondiscrimination Statement
    • Our History
    • Board Directors and Service Area
    • By-Laws
    • Privacy Policy
  • Member Programs
    • Rebates and Incentives
      • Heat Pump Rebates
      • Irrigation Rebates
      • Marathon Water Heaters
      • Replacement Appliance Rebates
    • Load Control
    • REC Program
    • REED Fund
  • News and Community
    • Basin Bus Tour
    • Clay County Fair/Member Appreciation Day
    • Cooperative "Sparks" Newsletter
    • Energy Solutions
      • Beat the heat this summer
      • Generation Mix
      • Home Safe Home
    • Treated Wood Consumer Information
    • Youth Programs
      • Basin Youth Excursion
      • Scholarship Opportunities
      • Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week
      • Washington DC Youth Tour
  • Employment Opportunities
    • Lineworker
    • Other Cooperative Employment Opportunities
  • Safety
    • 811 Call Before You Dig
    • Back-to-school preparation includes life-saving driving tips
    • Farm Safety
    • Grain Bin Clearance
    • Space Heater Safety
    • Tree Planting
    • Winter Power Line Safety
  • Contact Us