1. Starting Costs vs. ROI
You can’t avoid it: replacing your existing HVAC system with a geothermal heating and cooling system is an expensive proposition. Initial costs here in Hattiesburg tend to run anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 – or higher. Lot size, site accessibility, system configuration, ground conditions, and other issues play into it. So too does the amount of excavation that must be done and what sort of ductwork modifications are needed. And if you’re building a new home? It’s not as budget-busting, overall, but it’ll still cost roughly 40 percent more than an ordinary HVAC system will cost you.
Okay, so much for the bad news. How about some good news? To begin with, a number of incentives and rebates may be accesable at the federal, state and local level to help you out with installation costs. Then, too, the energy savings you could realize with your new geothermal heating and cooling system will help you begin to recoup your initial investment almost immediately. So you could recoup your investment in as little as four years. But , then again: Local utility rates and the total cost of your installation may slow full repayment for, oh, say 15 years. Given that geothermal systems tend to keep working for upwards of 30 or 50 years, though, you’ll still be ahead of the game. You merely have to figure out early on what your finances can bear … and how patient you are.
2. Geothermal Benefits Can Easily Offset Any Anxieties About Up-Front Costs
Let us cite the top benefits:
- Compared to typical heating and cooling systems, geothermal heating and cooling could clip as much as 30 to 60 percent off your heating bills. And it could shrink your cooling costs by as much as 20 to 50 percent.
- Geothermal systems use renewable energy – heat extracted from the ground.
- Geothermal heat pumps don’t work by combustion, so there are no greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc.) and no fire safety or air quality concerns.
- Because no outdoor fans or compressors are required, geothermal heating and cooling systems run much quieter than typical, run-of-the-mill systems.
- Since there aren’t many moving parts at all and geothermal systems are shielded from the elements, you’re assured many decades of low-maintenance, top-performance use. Indoor components may last about 30 years, ground loops, about 50.
Want a bit of clarification on any of these points in order to make a decision about your heating and cooling options? Consult with the Hattiesburg geothermal pros at BC's Heating and Air. We’re happy to help, no matter what you decide.