Remodeling a Home

Geothermal energy isn't talked about much, but it is a fantastic way to add a green energy source to your home. The problem is, they require digging up a large area near your home to install the plumbing. For this reason, they are usually installed when the house is first built, but it doesn't have to be. Use these criteria to determine if your existing home can benefit from a geothermal heat pump.

Do You Have The Space to Run the Pipes?

Geothermal heat pumps work by cooling or heating liquid inside pipes to match the consistent temperature that exists several feet below the surface of the earth. The bigger your house is, the more work your HVAC system will have to do, and the more pipes you will need to lay beneath the surface. Some early systems did not quite get the amount of pipe correctly and the ground slowly began to warm or cool over time. This won't ruin the system right away, but it will eventually lower the efficiency of the system until it is no longer viable.

This means that you can't really make use of this system unless you have some sort of yard to work with. How much space you need will, of course, depend on the size of your system, so you will need to have an experienced tech evaluate your property to see if you can make it fit. Most systems dig horizontal trenches in order to save money, but this also requires more space. If you have the budget, you can have the pipes sunk vertically in your yard, greatly reducing the necessary space.

Are You Willing to Do Some Landscaping?

As you can imagine, you won't be able to keep much of your landscaping above the trench. Indeed, you probably won't be able to keep many of the living things in your backyard because of the excavation equipment. That means you need to be willing to include some new landscaping in your budget.

You will also need to keep your system in mind when planning your new landscaping. Trees with deep roots can burrow into the pipes over time, so you need to avoid planting any fast growing trees too close. Small, slow growing trees, such as Magnolias, Japanese Maple, and Fan Palm, can be planted within a few feet of the lines to create interest and offer some shade without endangering the lines.

Do Your Already Have a Centralized HVAC System?

A geothermal heat pump should be located in the basement close to where the cooling pipes enter your house. This may be a long way from where your current system lives. That would mean that you have to tear into the walls and redo a lot of your ductwork. Speak with your HVAC tech to discuss the options that will best fit your situation. If redoing the ductwork ends up being too expensive, it might be better to take the small hit to the system efficiency and put the new heat pump at the same location as the old one.

If you haven't had a centralized system before, you are going to have an even tougher time. You will have to bear the up front cost of both installing the HVAC system and installing the ductwork to carry the air around the house. While it still may pay off in the long run, this is a serious price tag to start with.

All that you really need to install a geothermal heat pump is a large back yard and a willingness to redo your landscaping. While it might be sad to give up a favorite tree or two, you can enjoy the benefits of a greener energy source.

Contact a local professional, such as Cape Fear Air Conditioning & Heating Co., Inc., for more information.