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Geothermal Cooling Systems: Quiet And Cost Efficient

Posted: 9/7/2010

Many families are happy to discover that keeping a home comfortable doesn't have to cost a bundle.

(NAPSI) - Here's hot news: Geothermal heating and cooling systems not only save you money, they allow for more peace and quiet at home. Unlike ordinary air conditioners or heat pumps, there's no noisy outdoor unit to disturb your environment or your neighbors. Geothermal systems are designed and constructed for "whisper quiet" operation, similar to your refrigerator.

In addition, they provide precise distribution of comfortable air all year long, eliminating hot and cold spots. Using a series of underground pipes called a "loop", a geothermal system removes heat energy from the earth to heat your home. In hot weather, the system delivers cool, dehumidified air by pulling heat out of the building and depositing it back into the cooler earth. The ground maintains a steady temperature because it absorbs 47 percent of the sun's energy as it hits the Earth's surface. Geothermal systems are designed to use that free energy just under the surface.

Geothermal systems are easy to install, especially when replacing a forced-air system. They're also good in areas unsuitable for fossil fuel furnaces because there's no combustion, and therefore no need to vent exhaust gases. Most systems don't need much maintenance beyond a periodic check and filter changes. According to the experts at WaterFurnace, a leading manufacturer of geothermal cooling and heating equipment, homeowners with geothermal systems can anticipate an average system life span of more than 24 years, along with less maintenance and lower life cycle costs than a traditional system.

Geothermal systems can also supplement your hot water by capturing the unwanted heat from your home and using it to preheat water in a storage tank.

A geothermal system may mean higher resale values when it's time to sell. Many real estate agents now list homes as "ecocertified," which can mean 12 percent more than noncertified homes, according to a report by the nonprofit Earth Advantage Institute at www.earthadvantage.com.

Many homeowners can even get a tax credit for installing a geothermal system. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides a one-time tax credit of 30 percent of the total investment for homeowners who install residential ground loop or groundwater geothermal heat pumps. To qualify, the systems must meet or exceed Energy Star requirements. Units installed through 2016 can take full advantage of the credit.

To learn more, visit www.waterfurnace.com or call (800) GEO-SAVE.

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