Looking for an “Oklahoma fun fact” to tell your friends at your next holiday party?
The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association was formed in Oklahoma and is still headquartered up north, at Oklahoma State University’s Stillwater campus. This research and education surrounding geothermal energy has turned Oklahoma into one of the leaders of this renewable energy bandwagon.
So, how can you as a homeowner take advantage of geothermal heating and cooling? The home heating and cooling specialists at DeHart think you should know these five things about the renewable energy found just under our feet!
1. THE EARTH’S TEMPERATURE IS CONSTANT
Geothermal heat pumps take advantage of the year round, constant heat that lies roughly ten feet below the surface. Though Chickasha and Duncan see sub freezing temperatures during the winter and nearly-triple digits in the summer, the temperature just below the earth’s surface stays between 50ºF and 60ºF all year.
Geothermal heat pumps use a heat exchanger to take advantage of this constant heat by sending water or an antifreeze solution down into the earth through a series of pipes. In the summer, a geothermal heat pump absorbs the heat inside your home and sends it underground to cool. It then recirculates that heat at the lower temperature using your the ductwork in your home. In the winter, the heat exchanger absorbs the warmer temperatures from underground and uses that heat to warm up the air that is circulated in your ductwork.
2. THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
Whether you are installing a geothermal heat pump during your new home construction or retrofitting your existing home’s heating and cooling system, the type of geothermal heat exchanger will depend on the available space your lot provides.
For lots that have ample land, a horizontal system can be very cost effective. This design does not require as much digging for installation, since the heat exchanger is a series of loops that are relatively shallow (4-6 feet deep). For lots with less available land, a vertical system can be installed, which takes up less space but requires much deeper installation (100 to 400 feet deep).
3. GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS ARE AN INVESTMENT
As geothermal heat pumps make use of the renewable heating and cooling of the earth, the monthly energy savings will pay back the cost of installation over time. We estimate that you can reduce your yearly heating and cooling costs by up to 80%! Plus, a home that costs less each month in heating and cooling costs is more valuable when it comes time to sell.
4. YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FEDERAL & LOCAL INCENTIVES
With all the digging involved in geothermal installation, the initial cost of installation can be higher than other heating and cooling systems. However, the federal government is currently providing a tax break for those that invest in renewable energy—which means you can take 30% of the installation cost and deduct it from what you owe on your federal taxes for that year.
Plus, Oklahoma Gas & Electric customers can take advantage of a generous rebate offer that further reduces the cost of geothermal installation!
5. GEOTHERMAL IS ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE
Conserving the energy and resources you use to keep your home comfortable is clearly financially responsible. But when you look at the bigger picture, reducing your carbon footprint reduces your impact on the environment. It also reduces your reliance on fossil fuels (when you convert from natural gas or oil furnaces), which means you won’t be left with a freezing winter home if there is an oil shortage or a burst pipe.
TRUST THE GEOTHERMAL INSTALLATION EXPERTS AT DEHART!
Whether you are looking to design a geothermal heat pump system for your new home construction, or you want to take advantage of geothermal heat in your existing Chickasha or Duncan, OK home, DeHart Air Conditioning & Heating has nearly 100 years of local experience to ensure you get the most you of your new geothermal system.