In 20 years of installing geothermal loop fields we have heard these complaints and interestingly, have rarely found the geothermal system itself to be at fault. Geothermal Heating is a complex system with several components. Expecting an HVAC contractor that has only installed gas furnaces and boilers to have expertise in geothermal heating and cooling is asking for trouble.

HVAC contractors must consider HVAC contractors must consider the exact heating and cooling load of your home, the type of loop system that will be installed, the design layout of that loop system, and the interior air flow requirements to get the heating and cooling where it’s needed. Choosing an HVAC installer with experience in the geothermal field and consistently happy customers is extremely important.

Be wary if a contractor says he can do the same job for much less. Cutting corners causes decreased energy savings. Variables to check include system and ductwork size for your home, loop length per ton of furnace , and proper installation and insulation of piping and circulating pumps. Attention to detail at the front end of a job will save money on your heating bills long term.

We at Yoder Drilling and Geothermal, Inc value continuing education to stay on the cutting edge of the industry. We are certified vertical loop installers, IGSHPA (International Ground Source Heat Pump Association) ,members, GEO (Geothermal Exchange) members, NGWA (National Groundwater Association) & Ohio Water Well Association members as well as owning a master driller certification with the National Groundwater Association.

Protect your Geothermal system from getting a bad Rap! Choose a reputable HVAC installer. If you live in the Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia area contact us to help make your choice. contact@yodergeothermal.com.

Should I really pay extra for a Geothermal Heat Pump System?  Is it worth that much more than an energy efficient gas furnace and air conditioner?
 
Emphatically yes!  A properly installed and sized geothermal system will heat for 1/4 the cost of propane and 1/2 the cost of natural gas.  It will also cool your home for 1/2 the cost of a new hi-efficiency 15 SEER air conditioner.   And don’t forget that a geo system also can heat your domestic hot water for a fraction of the cost of a gas system.

Dependability is also a plus.  A geothermal system should last about 25 years and the exterior piping is projected to last 50-100 years  and includes 50 year warranty.   These factors add up to very low maintenance costs. 

One caution as noted above a properly sized and installed system is VERY important.  Next week we will discuss  why that is and some examples we’ve dealt with when systems have been undersized by contractors trying to cut corners to make a sale or unfamiliar with geothermal systems. 

 Have a great week.  Stay warm  geothermally !!

     It would seem, at first glance, that abundant natural gas and geothermal heat pumps work in conflict with each other. I would propose that nothing is further from the truth. With the discovery of the incredible volume of natural gas in the Marcellus and Utica plays in PA, WV, and OH ones first impression is  geothermal heating will be pushed to the sidelines. Instead it has been our experience, here at Yoder Drilling and Geothermal, that this is not the case, in fact we are seeing an increase in sales as a direct result.

As a loop installer for many HVAC contractors in eastern OH, western PA and northern WV, we are in the heart of the  “ boom”.  Many land owners are benefiting with significant bonus lease payments from the natural gas industry and find themselves with a new found ability to upgrade their home.  Upgrading the heating and cooling system is a great option that can dramatically increase the equity of the home. They may even be able to build that new home they have been dreaming of. Ground source geothermal heat pumps are a perfect fit.

Geothermal is the most efficient heating and cooling system available and with a 30% federal tax credit on the entire installation cost –this system benefits the homeowner in multiple ways. By helping homeowners become aware of the tax credits and efficiency of geothermal we are benefitting from the good fortune of the local community.

 On a larger scale, long term availability of a low priced natural gas will likely keep electric rates in check and so will keep geothermal heat pumps the most economical option for homeowners for years to come.

                        Tim Yoder, President
                     Yoder Drilling & Geothermal, Inc
                     (330) 852-4342

             www.yodergeothermal.com

 To qualify for the federal tax credit, Geothermal Heat Pump systems must meet the ENERGY STAR requirements at the level of Tier 2 (see table below).  These requirements must have been in effect at the time of installation.   Requirements for energy efficiency most likely will change again on January 1, 2012

Tier 2 ENERGY STAR GHP Requirements

Source: ENERGY STAR website: www.energystar.gov

 A qualified residential Geothermal Heat Pump system must meet the following ENERGY STAR requirements to be eligible for the 30% federal tax credit:

•  Installed after Jan. 1, 2009 and before D1ec. 31, 2016.
•  Meet the the Energy Star specification that is in effect at the date of installation.
•  Installed in a residence (does not apply to rental property)

We at Yoder Geothermal encourage homeowners to be proactive in finding the geothermal system right for your home.  Choosing a knowledgeable HVAC contractor thoroughly informed and familiar with tax credits appropriate  for your new system continues to be of utmost importance. 

 For more information visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=HP

There are several requirements that need to be met in order to collect the rebates. The first step is asking your HVAC dealer to enroll in the program. Marshall B Jennings of  CLEAResult  shared the details with Tim at Yoder Geothermal this week.   CLEAResult is helping to administer the rebate program for  AEP Ohio, IE Ohio Power and Columbia Southern Power.   After haveing a home  energy assessment,  homeowners can expect to receive: a $350.00 rebate for a ground source heat pump with an HSPF rating of 8.5 or higher and Seer of 14.5 higher, $150.00 for a variable speed air handler and a $150.00 bonus for system installation. Total the rebate equals $650 for a geothermal heating and cooling system. Nearly all geothermal systems qualify

If you’ve been thinking about pulling the plug on your old gas or oil system, now is a great time to start the process of installing a clean, green, economical geothermal heating and cooling system for your home. Contact your professional Geothermal installer for more information or click here

You will need an HVAC dealer to size and install your geothermal heat pump on the inside of your home. You will also need a quality geothermal loop installer to do the outside work and bring the piping in to your furnace.

Some important things to consider in choosing the right geothermal contractor:

•   The United States Dept of Energy states “because of the technical knowledge and equipment needed to properly install the piping of a geothermal heat pump system, installation is not a do it yourself project.

•  Don’t assume that all installers do work of equal quality.

•   Make sure your furnace installer has done a thorough heat/loss calculation on your home. This will take into consideration all factors –home location, number of windows, number of doors, depth of insulation, and other factors in determining the size furnace and loop field you will need.

•  Quality HVAC dealers run a detailed, computerized heat/loss program to determine size of loop and furnace that will most efficiently run in your home. If your HVAC dealer says “I can eyeball that” or “from my experience I believe your house needs a 4 ton” –Run away…far, far, away!Demand a quality loop contractor. Most loop contractors sub out to the homeowner or HVAC dealer and it can be your decision which loop contractor you would like to employ.

•  Check both the HVAC and Loop Contractor’s qualifications (IGSHPA – International Ground Source Heat Pump Association) and affiliations. Years in business, years in geo, number of installations, and customer testimonials are also very important.

•  Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most geothermal contractors are a wealth of information. Take a little time to do research online, jot down some notes and then spend time getting comfortable with your installer.Consider using Yoder Geothermal for your loop installation if you live in Ohio, WV, or western PA. They come highly recommended as professional and knowledgeable in the geothermal industry and have installed more than 5000 geothermal loop systems.

Hope these suggestions are helpful. You’ll be glad you did your “homework” as you enjoy a new, properly sized and installed, efficiently running, geothermal heating and cooling system.

Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Becky

1. Paying cash up front is always the best. This allows you the immediate comfort of a geothermal heating and cooling system. For most of us, cash is not an option and considering financing is the next step.

2. A home equity loan or adding to your existing home equity loan is the most popular way to pay for your geothermal system. Adding a green energy system to your home often adds value in addition to the monthly savings you enjoy.

3. When deciding if now is the time to purchase your geothermal system, take into account how long you plan to stay in your existing home. Also important is the age of your current furnace system. It may be time to switch out your gas/oil furnace in the near future anyway.

4. Consider an “Energy Efficient Mortgage” or EEM if buying or refinancing you home. According to the energystar.gov website, EEMs give borrowers the opportunity to finance cost-effective, energy-saving measures as part of a single mortgage and stretch debt-to-income qualifying ratios on loans thereby allowing borrowers to qualify for a larger loan amount and a better, more energy-efficient home. Learn more with EnergyStar

5. Furnace Manufacturers may offer financing for part or all of the project. Be sure to choose a reputable HVAC dealer and loop installer

6. The best financial reason to choose geothermal installation continues to be that 30% of your investment will be returned on your taxes!

Enjoying the comfort and savings of a geothermal system may be only a few creative financing decisions away. Good Luck!

Becky

The tax credit cap was lifted on Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems and their loops for the first time in history. Because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Geothermal systems can receive a 30% tax credit if placed in service before December 31, 2016. Previously the geothermal tax credit had been limited to $2000.

This is a real tax credit not a deduction. A tax credit reduces tax owed dollar-for-dollar –while a tax deduction only removes a percentage of that owed tax. There has never been a better time to invest in Geothermal Heating and Cooling Technology.

An investment is the only way we can describe this particular scenario. Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems achieve Energy Efficiency Ratings in the 30′s. When you consider the return on investment in energy savings (up to 50% or more) coupled with geothermal tax incentives, you cannot afford to put your money anywhere else!

Join us as in our future posts we explore the world of geothermal heating and cooling and how homeowners can make this green technology work for them. For more than 15 years we’ve been installing geothermal loop and we are VERY excited about the future.

We all knew these systems could save homeowners a lot of money on their heating bills in winter, but now the water-to-water unit has been given the “green light” of approval.  Watch for this market to make a big splash in 2010 and the following years.

Water-to-water geothermal heat pumps use the same earth loop found in water-to-air geothermal units, but instead of heating air, they heat water that is circulated through tubing under your flooring.  This type of heating is also called “radiant heat” and has been used with gas boilers for many years.  Geothermal is a way to lower the cost of this type of heating while improving the environmental impact.

Geothermal was once a term only talked about in classrooms across the Ohio Valley.  Today, homeowners all across the area are taking advantage of stored geothermal energy in the ground around their homes.

The word Geothermal literally means “Earth Heat” which is exactly what it is.  And geothermal systems are able to capture that heat and deliver it efficiently into homes anywhere in the world.

In the summer, or warmer climates, these systems are designed to use the ground as a deposit for heat captured in your home providing you with a comfortable air conditioned environment.

Why is geothermal a renewable resource?  Geothermal energy comes from the suns rays, of which the earth absorbs 40%.  That’s more than 500 times what mankind can use in a year.  Geothermal systems simply extract that heat in the winter and return it to the earth in the summer, renewing the ground for another season.

If you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional fossil fuel systems, look no further.  Geothermal is the most cost effective and money saving heating and cooling system on the market today.  At efficiencies around 400% in many cases, it’s between 3 and 5 times as efficient as other options on the market.

Be sure to check out our new web site and begin saving energy the geothermal way.