Geothermal Heating and Cooling Pros and Cons
Although geothermal HVAC systems are excellent for maximizing efficiency and sustainability, their downsides can limit their practicality in certain situations. If you’re trying to decide whether one of these setups is right for your home or business, this guide on geothermal heating and cooling pros and cons weighs the benefits and drawbacks so you can make an informed decision.
Pros of Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Energy Efficiency
No list of geothermal heating and cooling pros and cons would be complete without highlighting energy efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, geothermal heat pumps, which are an essential part of ground-source HVAC systems, reduce energy consumption and harmful emissions by up to 72% when compared to standard heating and cooling solutions. These setups are also 44% more efficient than traditional heat pump systems, making ground-source technology an excellent choice for minimizing your home or business’s environmental impact.
Lower Bills
Since ground-source systems consume less energy, they also lower utility bills. In fact, the International Ground-Source Heat Pump Association states that geothermal systems can reduce energy bills by up to 65% by utilizing stable subterranean temperatures to condition air, not oil or gas that must be purchased and delivered. Over time, these consistent savings can significantly reduce overall energy expenses.
Subtle Design
An often overlooked benefit of geothermal heating and cooling systems is their discreet design. Unlike cumbersome window units or bulky outdoor condensers, the ground loops are buried and the heat pump is indoors, minimizing the equipment’s impact on the building’s appearance. These systems also operate more quietly than traditional HVAC solutions, ensuring a peaceful and comfortable indoor environment.
Equipment Longevity
Nebraska-based John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, Air and Electrical states that the lifespan of a geothermal system is quite long. The heat pump usually lasts 20-25 years and the ground loop up to 50 years if well maintained, significantly longer than the 15 to 20-year lifespan of traditional HVAC equipment. If you choose a ground-source solution over other options, you’ll likely have many years of reliable performance and minimal maintenance, maximizing the return on your initial investment.
Air Quality
Since ground-source heating and cooling systems don’t rely on fossil fuels, they eliminate combustion byproducts like soot and carbon monoxide, which can pose health risks to building occupants. Additionally, geothermal equipment pairs well with energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), machines that expel stale indoor air and draw in fresh outdoor air to improve indoor air quality even more.
Cons of Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Costly Installation
When discussing geothermal heating pros and cons, it’s impossible to ignore the prohibitively high installation costs. Forbes.com reports that the cost of a geothermal system can range from $17,000 on the low end to $32,300 on the high end, but other sources suggest even higher costs. Considering that commercial buildings are much larger than single-family homes, the cost of installing such a system in a business setting can be significant, putting it out of reach for many establishments.
Space Requirements
In addition to the costly installation, the space requirements for geothermal systems are another limiting factor. For example, a medium-sized home needs 1,200-1,800FT (365.6-548.7M) of horizontal ground loops in trenches that are 4-6FT (1.22–1.83M) deep. For a vertical network, the same home would need up to 500FT (152.4M) of a loop buried hundreds of feet underground. Considering these limitations, geothermal HVAC systems aren’t ideal for homes and businesses on small city lots, particularly those with large trees and other structures nearby.
Damaged Landscaping
Whether you choose a vertical or horizontal ground loop for your new HVAC system, the installation company will have to dig on the property. From displaced soil and compacted ground to damaged plants and removed trees, installing a geothermal system will have a significant impact on your home or business’s landscaping. If you’re concerned about the effect on your property’s appearance, work with the contractor to minimize disturbance during installation.
Electricity Dependence
Like traditional HVAC systems, ground-source setups require an external power source. While this isn’t necessarily a drawback, it’s worth noting because some people confuse geothermal HVAC with geothermal energy used for electricity generation, such as harnessing natural heat from geysers or volcanoes. If you’re considering installing one of these systems to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels, it may not lower your dependence as much as you’d expect.
Few Technicians
One of the biggest drawbacks of geothermal heating and cooling is the shortage of qualified technicians. Since installation requires heavy machinery for excavation and maintenance demands advanced skills, ground-source HVAC systems depend on a small—but growing—pool of authorized professionals. While this limitation isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, it’s worth considering, as it’s often overlooked until help is needed.