| At the heart of every geothermal system is the earth's ability to store heat. Picture the earth as being a solar battery which absorbs almost half the sun's energy. The earth provides a warm source in the winter and a cool heat sink in the summer. |  |
| How
much of an investment is it to install a Geothermal System? The initial cost is a little more than standard gas or electric systems, but a pay back occurs quickly. And considering that the same equipment can perform both the heating and the air conditioning, the cost is very efficient. The total cost for a complete geothermal HVAC system is usually about 25 percent of the total cost of the building. So if the building costs $100,000, the cost of the complete geothermal system would be about $25,000. The payback can be up to 20 percent per year. Typically, geothermal is five times more efficient than other systems, so for every dollar of electricity you put in, you will get back five dollars of heating/cooling energy (in BTUs). There are also some rebates and incentives that could help pay for the up front cost. To see what your state has to offer click here. Call WERC for an energy audit and consulting to install your own geothermal system. |
