ELCO Electric Geothermal Heating
Geothermal systems rely on the relatively constant temperature found below the Earth’s surface (40-55˚ F). A heat pump located in your utility room uses a process similar to a standard air conditioner, or refrigerator, to move heat from one location to another. In this case, heat is taken from the water (45˚F) running thru the buried pipes, and delivered to your home at approximately 115˚ F. During heating months, the Earth acts as a heat source. In cooling mode the Earth acts as a heat sink. The heat pump operates on electricity but generates 3-4 times more heat energy than the electricity it uses. This is known as the coefficient of performance (COP). In other words, for every dollar spent, a geothermal system delivers $3-$4 worth of heat.
ELCO Electric’s geothermal heating solutions division is committed to using renewable energy to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels while reducing home heating bill by 50 – 70%. Geothermal systems (a.k.a. ground source heat pumps, water source heat pumps, geo-exchange) uses the earth’s relatively stable temperature as a heat source for heating, and a heat sink for cooling. This allows geo heating and air conditioning systems to reach efficiencies of 300-500%. Geothermal system performance has been proven in all 50 states with approximately 50,000 systems being installed in the states every year.
In order to harness the earth’s energy, various earth coupling options exist. Open loop systems use ground water from a domestic water well, and discharge that water to a pond, drainage ditch, storm water sewer, or to a second (diffusion) well. Open loop systems rely on water flow (gallons per minute or gpm). Closed loop systems circulate a water and anti-freeze (food grade propylene glycol) mix thru a closed loop of buried pipes. Close loops can be installed horizontally in trenches, vertically in bore holes, or in ponds. A hybrid of open and closed loop systems used in some cases is called a standing column well (SCW). SCW’s draw water from and return water to the same well. This system relies on the well’s depth, rather than water flow, to regulate water temperature.
A 30% federal tax credit with no cap is now available to homeowners who install a geothermal system and a 10% tax credit is available to businesses. This makes now the perfect time to invest in your future by installing a heating system that will save you money for decades to come while increasing the resale value of your home.
In these times of economic uncertainty, the arguments for using a geothermal heating system have never been stronger. It is more important than ever that we all spend our money wisely. So the benefit of saving 50-70% on our heating bills is easy to see, as are the benefits of reducing our carbon footprints, and keeping our energy dollars in the U.S. economy.
80% of homes in the Northeast heat by burning #2 heating oil which accounts for 80% of #2 oil usage in the United States. In 2008, nearly $1.6 billion was spent on home heating oil. And 75% of that money ($1.2 billion) left the U.S. economy to foreign countries. By using geothermal heat pumps and equipment manufactured in the U.S, installed by U.S. companies, and operated on U.S. generated electricity, we can solve our energy needs, maximize our economy, and improve our national security.
ELCO performs detailed heat load/ heat gain calculations to properly size geo systems to maximize efficiencies. We will develop a system to mach your budget and application whether you choose ELCO for a “turn-key” installation, or to work with your sub-contractors.
Call today to set up a free home evaluation and budget estimate, of fill out the site survey form that will help us determine what type of geothermal system would best suit your situation and allow us to estimate a budget for your geothermal system over the phone.
