Wells

Options for heating and cooling

 

Heating Options

Electric energy. Historically a premium-priced energy source in comparison to oil or natural gas. Today, even the most inefficient electric system, electric resistence (100% efficient), is actually now cheaper than propane (LP gas) or oil.

Propane and fossil fuels. Require fuel storage tanks, toxic gas detectors or concerns over accidental explosions or fires. even with these drawbacks, many have continued to install and maintain these systems because of the misconception that their heating or water heating costs are less than any electric energy system.

Geothermal heat pumps. Three (3) to four (4) tmes more efficient than oil, natural gas, or propane systems. Geothermal systems provide 3 to 4 units of space or water heating energy for each unit of electric energy consumed by the system. In comparison, the most efficient oil, natural gas, or propane system delivers less than 1 unit of energy for each unit of energy consumed by the system. Systems that burn fuel can never deliver more energy than is available in the fuel. Geothermal heating systems can typically result in energy cost savings of 50% over fuel systems.

Geothermal heat pumps can deliver more energy than the electric energy because geo systems extract the solar energy in the water well and transfers this energy to the home for space or water heating. Well water is not significantly affected by outside air temperatures. In this region, well water remains relatively constant year round at about 50 degrees.

Cooling Options

Electric energy is the onl practical cooling source for the overwhelming majority of homes and businesses. Central or window air conditioners are the norm although large businesses may also use centralized air cooled chiller systems for cooling. The efficiency of these systems has continued to improve but, since these systems transfer heat from indoors to the outside air, the efficiency of this process also decreases rapidly with higher ourside air temperatures.

Geothermal systems, in contrast, transfer heat from indoors to the outdoor well water which remains a constant temperature regardless of the outdoor air temperature. Geothermal systems can also efficiently transfer heat from indoors to the hot water tank for more savings! You don't have to use additional power to make hot water because hot water is a by-product of a geothermal cooling system. Geothermal cooling is typically 75% more efficient than air cooled systems.