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Ways 2 Save: Geothermal Heating Systems
Harnessing energy from the earth to heat your home can help you save on utility bills, but you have to spend money first before you can make money. Geothermal technology isn't cheap. Systems can run from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, but it's the long-term benefit homeowners are going after. "I was paying natural gas bills upwards of $300, and with this system it's costing me $80 to $100," said Kelly Fredrickson, who installed a ground-source heating system at his Ellicottvile home three years ago at a cost of $10,000. "In a really cold winter I'll save $1000 to $1500." Geothermal heating systems can be added to a new build or retrofitted to an older home, instead of a gas boiler and air conditioning unit. Air conditioning can be up to 35% more efficient, and you can also save on hot water. The system takes hot air from your home, concentrates it, and puts it in your hot water tank. Homeowners have different installation options. If you have a small amount of land, you can opt for what are called "slinky coils," which are coiled tubes buried in shallow trenches. Water and antifreeze circulate through the system and flow into the home's heat pump. From there you can either install radiant floor heat or a more traditional vent system. If you have a bit more land and more money, you can drill deep wells which are connected by a series of pipes. "The groundwater stays close to a constant temperature of 50 degrees, so when we heat or cool the facility, basically that's what we're working with," said Larry Miller, director of facilities and operations for the Salamanca School District, which installed this type of system. "It's a phenomenal amount of savings in terms of net savings. The calculations the engineers did are a $133-thousand in gas costs," said Donn Hensel, Salamanca High School principal. The district's large-scale system came with a $2 million price tag. The easiest and most cost-effective method is sinking the geothermal equipment at the bottom of a small pond. Homeowners and business owners are eligible for even more savings through NYSERDA's home performance program. For more information visit getenergysmart.org.
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