Ground Source (Geothermal) Centrally Ducted System for a Two-Story Home
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Air Seal and Insulate
2-in-1 Heating & Cooling
Health & Safety
Zoned Temperature Control
Eliminate Your Tank
Reliable & Long-Lasting
Renewable
Affordable, Reliable, and Long-Lasting
Unlike many fossil fuel heating systems or even electric baseboard heat, ground source heat pumps are a super-efficient technology that can save you money on your monthly heating bills. All of the cold-climate heat pumps available on today’s market are efficient and affordable to operate, and ground source heat pumps are the most efficient, most reliable, and longest lasting of them all. A typical ground source system provides affordable, reliable heating and cooling for up to twenty-five years — and sometimes longer!
Instead of wasting energy (and money) up the chimney by burning fuel like a conventional furnace or boiler does, ground source heat pumps work by transferring energy from the steady temperatures below the earth, transforming it into warm air, and delivering it to your indoor space. During the hot summer months, this process is reversed to remove heat from your home and cool your interior space. In fact, a single ground source heat pump system can provide 100% of your home’s heating and cooling needs and can even help with domestic hot water.
Ground source heat pumps work extremely well across New York State — even in coldest areas of upstate. In fact, there are already thousands of homes throughout the State that rely solely on ground source heat pumps to save money, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and get through our harsh winters in comfort.
Heat & Cool Your Home with Renewable Energy from the Ground
When it comes to reducing your home’s carbon footprint, ground source heat pumps are the best heating and cooling option available. That is because a few feet below the surface, the earth maintains a constant temperature, even on the hottest summer day or coldest winter night, and ground source heat pumps simply tap into this constant temperature to regulate your home through pipes called “ground loops” that are buried underground.
Depending on your property, your contractor may recommend either a “vertical well” ground loop or a “horizontal field” ground loop. Either way, you’ll own the most efficient form of heating and cooling the market has to offer.
Zoned Temperature Control
With a ground source heat pump, you can individually control the temperatures of different zones throughout your home using air handlers in your ductwork. That means you can solve common comfort and efficiency problems in two-story homes, such as cold or stuffy second floors — and if your infant needs a nice warm nursery, but you prefer to sleep in a cooler bedroom, you won’t have to sacrifice your comfort for theirs.
For even greater zoned temperature control, ask your contractor about the option to add ductless heads to your central system. This unique feature of heat pump systems gives you the flexibility to heat and cool areas of your home that may not be well-served by your existing ductwork without having to add any new ductwork.
Reduced Health and Safety Risks
Heat pumps can help you improve the health and safety of your home and family.
Since heat pumps don’t directly burn fossil fuels to keep you warm, they minimize the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be difficult to predict and detect. Heat pumps can also improve the overall indoor air quality of your home by better managing humidity in the air and filtering out dust and other allergens when filtration is added.
When you switch to a heat pump system for your home, you and your family can breathe easy — literally.
Pro Tip: Eliminate Drafts with Insulation and Air Sealing
Just like with any HVAC system, you’ll get the most out of this state-of-the-art technology by first addressing any areas in your home that may need to be sealed and insulated. To make your home as comfortable and efficient as can be, we recommend working with your qualified contractor to have a home energy assessment performed to identify any sealing and insulating work that may be needed prior to your heat pump installation date.
When you seal and insulate your home prior to installing a new heat pump, not only will you be more comfortable in your home, but you will also likely achieve even greater monthly savings on your energy bills, making a good deal even better.
Eliminate Your Propane or Oil Tank
Say goodbye to unsightly fuel tanks and dangerous leaks, as well as costly and unpredictable fuel deliveries — for good.
Instead, with a ground source heat pump, your home will be heated and cooled by compact, modern technology that operates safely, quietly, and efficiently. In fact, with ground source heat pumps, you will not have any visible outdoor equipment, meaning you and your family can enjoy your yard as it was meant to be.
Stop paying hundreds of dollars to refill your tank, and never worry about running out of fuel again! Heat pumps typically more than pay for themselves over time with the savings generated by switching off oil and propane.
2-in-1 Heating & Cooling
With a ground source heat pump, you can enjoy heating and cooling from a single, modern system. That means less maintenance and less equipment taking up space in your basement and yard.
Not only that, but heat pumps also provide better quality heating and cooling than conventional furnaces or air conditioners (ACs). Whereas most furnaces blast your home with loud spurts of hot air that slowly dissipate until it’s time for another one, heat pumps put out a gentle, steady stream of warm air. And with ductless heat pumps, you and your family will enjoy the benefits of central AC without the ductwork — and you’ll never have to deal with window AC units again!
Ground source heat pumps use the consistent underground temperature to provide 2-in-1 heating and cooling that is safe and sustainable. This environmentally friendly investment is the most efficient and longest lasting heat pump option.
Comfort
Cold-climate heat pumps distribute gentle, steady streams of warm (or cool) air to keep you comfortable — even on the hottest summer days and the coldest winter nights.
Lower Energy Bills
The monthly cost of heating and cooling your home with a heat pump is typically less than oil, propane, or electric resistance heating (such as baseboards).
Temperature Control
Zoned heating and cooling allows you to set different areas of your home to different temperatures. With the option to add ductless “heads” to your ground source heat pump system, you can achieve even greater zoned temperature control.
High Efficiency
Sustainable heating and cooling that is up to three times more efficient than traditional fuel systems, such as oil or propane.
Convenient
Heat pumps require less maintenance, fewer service calls, and no fuel deliveries.
Installation Rebates
Generous federal, state, and utility incentives are available to help lower your cost.
Safety and Peace of Mind
No more flames or fumes. Heat pumps can improve your home’s indoor air quality and reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by not burning fossil fuels.
Cleaner and Greener
Not only are heat pumps good for your wallet, they are good for the planet too. Ground source heat pumps are the most efficient way to heat and cool your home, and you will have a much smaller carbon footprint using an efficient electric heat pump than if you use a fossil fuel system.
- Ground source heat pump systems give you the option to incorporate ductless heads into your design to create custom comfort zones or to heat and cool areas of your home that are not well served by your existing ductwork.
- Your electric service may need to be upgraded to support your new heat pump.
- The installation process will require digging to install the ground loops and may require landscape work after.
- While ground source heat pumps are the most efficient, they also have a higher installation cost than other options. Most homeowners, however, find that the energy savings they achieve with their ground source heat pumps offset the initial investment in the long run.
- To get the most comfort and efficiency from your system, use the time between ordering your system and installation to improve your home’s insulation and air sealing.
- Did you know that you may be able to use a heat pump for your home’s hot water needs as well? This can help you save even more energy.
Installation Cost:
Cost may vary by region, installation complexity, installer experience, system size, efficiency, and manufacturer. If you choose to incorporate ductless heads into your ground source heat pump design, each additional ductless unit may add to the project cost as well.
- Rebates are available when you work with a participating New York State Clean Heat contractor — check to see what you may qualify for.
- New York State has low-interest financing options available to help make the purchase and installation of a heat pump more affordable.
- NYS Clean Heat rebates can be combined with State tax credits, as well as federal tax credits through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Now you can save even more when you make the switch to heat pumps and other clean, efficient solutions.
- While ground source heat pumps are more expensive to install than other types of heat pumps, they are also the most efficient.
Operating Cost:
- Your overall heating costs will likely decrease if switching from oil, propane, or electric resistance heating (such as baseboards).
- If you previously heated with fuel, don’t be surprised to see electric bills increase. However, your fuel bills will drop or disappear, which may offset the increase to your electric bills.
- As is the case with any heating system, efficient homes that have been professionally air sealed and insulated have much lower operating costs.
- Ground source heat pumps are more efficient than other air conditioning systems, saving you more money during the summer.
- Ground source heat pumps typically last 20 to 25 years and require minimal maintenance.
- Do you have or are you considering a solar system? Combining ground source heat pumps with solar can bring your monthly energy costs to zero.
- What size units do I need? Ask for room-by-room heating and cooling calculations.
- Are my ducts properly sized for a ground source heat pump? What modifications might be necessary?
- How familiar are you with the ground condition in our area? Is there anything we need to be aware of?
- What type of ground loop is best for my property? A vertical “well” or a horizontal “field”?
- How long will the installation take? When and where will you need access?
- Will I need to upgrade my electric service?
- Who is responsible for landscaping or other restoration after the ground loop is installed?
- Can you provide references from previous clients who have systems that are several years old?
- What maintenance is required? How often should I clean or change air filters? Is annual service needed?
- What is the expected lifespan of the system and warranty?
- How can I make any additional upgrades to my home, such as adding insulation or air sealing, to prepare for a heat pump? Do you have an insulation contractor I can work with?
- Is my home a good fit for a heat pump water heater as well? Do you have a contractor I can work with for this additional project?
Find an expert to help with your residential heat pump project. Incentives may be available from your electric utility company when you work through a NYS Clean Heat participating contractor.