Did you know that the soil about 6 feet below the surface remains, more or less, the same temperature all year long? There's a style of heating and cooling system that is designed to take advantage of this fact. Known as geothermal heat pumps, these appliances circulate water (or sometimes a refrigerant) through pipes that run below ground. In the summer, the system discharges heat from your home into the soil. In the winter, the system gathers heat from below ground and discharges it into your home.

This may all sound quite complex in comparison to other, more popular styles of HVAC systems, like forced air and boiler systems. But, indeed, there are a few reasons to seriously consider adding a geothermal system to your home.

They're good for the planet.

A conventional HVAC system uses a lot of energy, both summer and winter. In the winter, most systems directly burn a fossil fuel, like natural gas or oil, to generate heat. This is not great for the planet, since it releases fossil fuels. Air conditioners run on electricity, but, in most places in the U.S., that electricity is generated by burning coal or oil, so it's not really a clean energy source, either. Geothermal systems do use electricity, too, but they use less of it. The electricity just needs to run the pump. The actual heat or cooling comes from below the ground. As a result, these systems are much more planet-friendly.

You'll recoup your investment.

Geothermal systems are more costly to purchase and install than conventional HVAC systems, but you will earn your money back in time. Assuming the cost of energy remains about the same, you can expect the system to pay for itself in about 10 years. Since the equipment lasts about 22 years, that means you'll be purely saving money on energy for those last ten years. The exact time to earn a return on your investment will vary; this article sheds some light on the subject. 

The systems are durable and long-lasting.

As mentioned above, geothermal equipment lasts longer than standard HVAC equipment. A standard AC unit or furnace might last 15 years or so, compared to the 22 years you can get out of a geothermal system. Geothermal systems are not prone to a lot of breakdowns, since they have such a simple structure with a pump and pipes. If you like low-maintenance home systems, this one is for you.

For questions about whether geothermal indoor temperature control is right for you, contact a company near you that specializes in HVAC services.