Building a Country Home?
Geothermal is the only way to go!
Building a country home? Geothermal is the only way to go!
You’ve acquired a country property and are finally ready to plan and build your dream home!
One important decision you will have is deciding on the type hvac system you should install. As natural gas is not an option in rural areas, you are left with five options:
1. Geothermal heat pump: open loop at $28000-$30000; closed loop at $40000-$50000.
2. Air source heat pump: $15000-$20000.
3. Propane furnace + air conditioner: $15000-$20000.
4. Outdoor wood furnace + air conditioner: $25000-$30000.
5. Full electric furnace + air conditioner: $8000-$12000.
There are three major criteria to analyze which will allow for an informed best decision:
1. Annual cost of operation.
2. Life expectancy of the system.
3. Maintenance.
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Approximate annual cost of operation for an average home (2000ft)
Geothermal: $1000
Air Source: $2000
Propane + AC: $3000+$500=$3500
Outdoor wood + AC: $1500+$500=$2000+sweat
Electric furnace + AC: $4000+$500=$4500
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Approximate life expectancy of the system
Geothermal: 25 years
Air Source: 15 years
Propane: 15 years
Outdoor wood: 15 years
Electric furnace: 30 years
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Maintenance
Geothermal: Clean filter(s).
Air Source: Clean filter(s), remove ice from outdoor unit in winter, clean outdoor condenser.
Propane: Clean filters(s), annual inspection/cleaning, replace nozzles, check fire alarms, timely propane deliveries, price fluctuations.
Outdoor wood: Clean filter(s), furnace cleanout, purchase/cut wood, fill furnace morning and night, arrange furnace filling when away, cleaning snow around furnace, check fluid levels, cleanstove pipe.
Electric furnace: Clean filter(s).
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Bottom Line: Geothermal is the longest lasting, most durable and most maintenance free system you can install in your (new) home. Although the initial investment in the system is
higher, installing a geothermal system will save you $1000-$3000 annually, and will pay for itself in 5 to 10 years.
After that period, you save $$$ every year after!