Are you looking to install a heat pump in your home, but aren’t sure which type is right for you? Below, we compare geothermal and air source heat pumps, so you can make an informed decision about which one is best for your needs.
How Geothermal & Air Source Heat Pumps Work
All heat pumps work by moving heat from one place to the other. In the winter, a heat pump moves heat from the outdoors into your home, and in the summer, the process reverses to move heat from inside your house to the outdoors. The primary difference between geothermal and air source heat pumps is where they obtain the heat. Like the name suggests, air source heat pumps remove heat from the air, while geothermal heat pumps remove heat from the ground.
Both systems are incredibly energy-efficient and provide reliable heating and cooling even in extremely high and low temperatures. They also don’t use fossil fuels, making them significantly better for the environment than traditional heating systems like wood stoves or central HVAC.
Pros & Cons of Geothermal vs. Air Source Heat Pumps
There are many advantages to using a geothermal heat pump, which is why they are becoming a more popular choice for homeowners. Some of these benefits include being much more energy efficient than traditional HVAC systems and having a long lifespan – up to 25 years or more with proper maintenance. Like air source heat pumps, geothermal pumps are very quiet, and they don’t release any carbon monoxide or other pollutants into the atmosphere.
The main disadvantage of geothermal heat pumps is that they require a significant upfront investment, as you need to drill deep wells or dig a horizontal loop field. However, the long-term savings on your energy bills and the environmental benefits make geothermal heat pumps a wise investment for many homeowners.
Air source heat pumps also have several advantages over traditional HVAC systems and other types of heat pumps. But they also have benefits over geothermal systems, such as being less expensive to install than geothermal heat pumps, since you don’t need to drill any wells or dig a horizontal loop field.
They’re also easier to maintain than geothermal heat pumps because there are no underground components that can become damaged over time with floods, shifting sediment, etc.
Cost of Air Source & Geothermal Heat Pumps
The cost of both geothermal and air-source heat pumps varies depending on the size and layout of your home. You can expect to pay several thousand dollars per ton for a complete geothermal heat pump installation, and it’s not uncommon for an entire system to cost upwards of $25,000 to $35,000.
Comparatively, the cost of an air source heat pump ranges between $3,500 and $5,000 per indoor unit. If you have a smaller home with an open layout, you may only need one unit. If your home is large or has many rooms, you may need a couple of indoor units to provide sufficient heating and cooling.
That said, the ongoing operating costs of geothermal systems tend to be a bit lower than air source heat pumps, but usually not so much that a system costing tens of thousands of dollars would pay for itself in less than a decade. Air source pumps are the least expensive way to switch to clean heating and cooling for homeowners in New England and throughout the country.
How to Choose Between Heat Pumps
When you’re paying so much for an upgrade, you want to be sure you’re getting exactly what you need. Deciding which type of heat pump is right for your needs can be challenging, but a qualified HVAC contractor can help. A technician can assess your home and what you’re looking to get out of a new heating system, and compare it against the advantages and disadvantages of air source vs. geothermal heat pumps to help determine which system is likely to offer you more benefits for less money.
Contact New England Ductless Today For More More Info
At New England Ductless, we specialize in helping homeowners get reliable and affordable heating and cooling. Our commitment to clean energy and customer service is what sets us apart from the competition, and we offer a free consultation to help you understand your options and make the best decision for your needs.
Call us today at (781) 995-2665 to learn more about ductless heating or to schedule your home visit. Our office is located in the Boston suburb of Mattapan, MA, and our qualified HVAC technicians are standing by to help answer your important questions about heat pumps, energy efficiency, and more.
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