FACT: Geothermal systems provide the most efficient, comfortable and environmentally friendly method of heating & cooling.
Are you interested in a net zero energy home (or in just saving thousands on your energy bills) ? A home out of Gettysburg, PA., is doing both, thanks to a ClimateMaster geothermal system.
According to the Digital Trends article “This Home Looks Ordinary But it Could Save Its Owners $70,000“, net zero energy homes are being built in the Keystone State that meet U.S. Dept of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home stipulations.
Not familiar with net zero energy homes? They are essentially defined as homes producing as much or more energy than they consume annually.
A video that accompanies the article shows that the home heats and cools with a ClimateMaster Tranquility 30 Digital (TE) unit and a Tranquility Digital Indoor Split (TES) unit. The TE unit provides heating and cooling at an energy efficiency rating (EER) of 30, which is far more efficient than an average heating and cooling system.
Generally speaking, the higher EER, the more money you can save on your heating and cooling bills. Meanwhile the TES split unit has an EER of over 26 and provides heating and cooling to the home’s second story.
In addition to the geothermal heat pump system, the home also utilizes solar shingles and energy-efficient appliances.
But the big question is how much money will this house save? From the article:
Based on the Energy Star v3.0 Home Report, the model home will realize annual savings of almost $3,900 in the first year of ownership, $50,000 after ten years, and almost $200,000 over the course of a 25-year mortgage. If you add the upfront incentives for investing in renewable energy, the system will save a homeowner more than $70,000 in the first ten years of ownership. Annual savings calculations include an annual electricity cost increase of 5.5 percent. The U.S. national average increase of energy cost over the last 30 years is 7.5 percent.
The except also addressed renewable energy incentives, because a lot of those incentives came from the geothermal system installed in the house. Through 2016, ClimateMaster geothermal systems qualify for federal tax credits.
Home owners can deduct 30% of the entire geothermal heat pump system install cost from their tax liability or tax due. We have a lot of great information on this subject, so check our our page on geothermal tax credits.
If you are interested in seeing how much money ClimateMaster can save you on your heating and cooling bills, check out our geothermal savings calculator.