If you are looking for a cost-effective heating or cooling system, a geothermal heat pump may fit the bill despite having a high initial outlay.
These types of pumps consume up to 44% less energy than air-source heat pumps and as much as 72% compared with other conventional heating and cooling solutions.
Geothermal pumps work by taking heat from beneath the earth's surface and transferring it to your home, in contrast with air-source pumps that take heat from the air outside.
And if the geothermal pump has a two-speed compressor and variable fans, you can enjoy even more cost-savings on your energy bills.
They are also quieter compared to air-source units, last longer and need less maintenance, and operate efficiently even if the air outside is cool.
Another benefit of geothermal systems is that their design flexibility allows them to be installed as part of newly-constructed homes or in retrofit situations; their hardware also takes up less room, freeing up space that can be used for other productive purposes.
They are also durable since they have only a few moving parts, and warranties on the pumps routinely last 20 years or more.
Geothermal pumps, however, cost several times that of an air-source unit to install; these costs however, will be more than recouped from savings in energy bills over five to ten years.
A more affordable alternative, however, is a dual-source heat pump that uses both geothermal and air-source systems and has a cheaper installation cost and will work nearly as well as geothermal heat units.