My husband and I spent over three years finalizing the plans for our new home.
We’d bought the land several years before and looked forward to building our dream home.
We wanted to make sure that the layout and all of our decisions would satisfy our needs and accommodate our growing family. It was important to us that the house be comfortable and energy efficient. We live in an area that necessitates both heating and cooling systems. We looked into all different types of temperature control. While the initial investment cost was certainly a factor, we were more concerned with monthly expenses and environmental responsibility. The Environmental Protection Agency rates geothermal heat pumps as the most energy efficient. These systems use energy provided by the sun to achieve 400% efficiency ratings. The heat pump not only handles both heating and cooling but also offers a virtually free source of hot water. The system effectively combats high humidity, filters contaminants out of the air and won’t dry out the air in the winter. It operates quietly, is exceptionally clean and because of few moving parts, is especially reliable. The actual heat pump is installed inside the house, protected from the weather and should last for upwards of twenty years. There is an underground loop system that is responsible for absorbing heat from the earth and is warrantied for fifty years. We can expect the loop to last twice that long. The energy savings on our monthly utility bills has worked to recover the higher startup costs in under five years. Plus, we are totally happy with year round comfort. The geothermal heat pump has been a worthwhile solution. It has definitely increased the value and enjoyment of our home.