Here are top option for heating your home in an energy efficient manner.
Geothermal Heat Pumps:
Geothermal heat pumps make use of the renewable heat within the earth to produce effective, efficient heating.
The demand for geothermal systems grows by double digits in most years. And geothermal heat pump cost has dropped and stabilized, making them a better value for consumers.
How geothermal heat pumps work: A geothermal system is also called a ground source heat pump. The system collects heat from the sun that is stored in earth or water that maintains a fairly constant temperature all year. The refrigerant in the heat pump condenses that heat, providing enough to heat homes in the coldest climates.
In summer, it dumps heat from your home into the ground by reversing the process.
This exchange of heat takes place using a heat pump, water/glycol mix and loop system.
Why geothermal is so efficient: Like all heat pumps, a ground source system collects heat that is already present. It doesn’t burn fossil fuel or use electric resistance heat like a space heater.
Secondly, because temperatures remain much higher below the earth’s surface than in winter-time air, it is far easier to collect heat.
In summer, the cool earth or water receives heat much more readily than hot summer air. These temperature differences make geothermal much more efficient.
Most efficient: Today’s most efficient geothermal heat pumps have efficiency ratings of more than 35 EER for closed-loop systems and more than 45 EER for open-loop systems.
These ratings are from the Energy Star Most Efficient Heat Pump list.
Pros and cons: Tremendous efficiency is the primary benefit of geothermal heat pump systems. Loop systems are long-lasting. The high costs for equipment and repair are the drawbacks.
Geothermal heat pump cost: $11,000 to $25,500. Closed loop systems are less efficient than open loop systems, but cost less too.
Geothermal heat pumps pay for themselves most quickly through lower energy bills in very warm, humid climates. The second-best climates are cold climates. In moderate climates without high demand for either heating or cooling, geothermal is not a cost-effective choice.