Debunking 5 Myths About Geothermal

Heating and cooling are two of the most expensive bills homeowners pay each month, accounting for one-third of the average family’s monthly utility costs. They are also non-negotiables for many homeowners. 

After all, nobody wants to sit in a sweltering house or rely on inconvenient heating methods in the winter. However, rising energy costs, urgent climate concerns, and shifting regulations are prompting many homeowners to reconsider their home heating and cooling solution. 

As a result, interest in geothermal heating and cooling solutions is soaring. While Dandelion heating and cooling has already made a proven impact for thousands of homeowners, some people remain skeptical, turned off by prominent misconceptions about this powerful interior climate control solution.

Here are the top five misconceptions about geothermal so that you can make a more informed decision for your family.

#1 Geothermal is too expensive.

While geothermal was once a luxury available only to the wealthiest homeowners, today, it’s more affordable than ever before. 

New or existing homeowners can acquire Dandelion geothermal for $0 down and as little as $150 a month. When coupled with federal and local tax incentives, like the Inflation Reduction Act’s 30 percent credit for geothermal heat pump projects installed before January 1, 2033, the cost of installing geothermal heating and cooling becomes significantly more attainable.

As a result, installing geothermal is cost comparable to or even less in some regions than replacing your furnace and AC, and you’re no longer paying for frequent maintenance, repairs, or heating fuel. In addition, there won’t be any additional unanticipated costs. Dandelion includes two warranties and a remote 24/7 monitoring software system with each of our installed heat pumps, so you don’t need to worry about out-of-pocket maintenance expenses during the payback period. 

Dandelion geothermal is also cheaper to operate, reducing energy expenses by 47% per year. 

At the same time, installing a Dandelion heating and cooling system can increase a home’s resale value by up to 7.1%.

#2 Geothermal can only be installed for new homes.

Existing homes can be retrofitted with geothermal heating and cooling systems. In fact, getting Dandelion geothermal is simple, and the process is mostly virtual. Interested homeowners can complete our 30-second survey to find out if your home pre-qualifies for a Dandelion Energy home geothermal system. 

A Customer Experience Specialist will reach out within 24 hours to ask you a few more questions about your home and, if your home qualifies, schedule a virtual consultation with an Energy Consultant who will perform a virtual site survey. 

We’ll install your geothermal system in 3 stages: drilling and installing the underground loop, connecting the ground loop to your home, and installing the heat pump where your furnace used to sit. Each of these stages can take between two days and two weeks to complete depending on your local geography and project complexity.

Are you more of a visual learner? Dandelion geothermal was featured on an episode of This Old House, showcasing the heating and cooling solution’s integration into an existing home.

#3 Geothermal does not make a meaningful impact on climate objectives.

The impact of utilizing a geothermal system is quite the opposite. Collectively, space heating, air conditioning, and water heating account for ~70% of energy use in homes, according to the EIA. Replacing this dated equipment with a much more efficient geothermal heating and cooling system can reduce a home’s CO2 emissions by up to 80%.

For people using fuel oil to heat and cool their homes, a 5-ton Dandelion Geothermal Heating & Cooling System reduces their carbon emissions by ~80% per year when switching from fuel oil. Similarly, homes using propane reduce their emissions by ~65%, and homes using natural gas reduce carbon emissions by ~60% per year. 

Taken together, geothermal is the most sustainable, environmentally friendly way to heat and cool your home.

#4 Geothermal won’t keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Geothermal lets homeowners tap into the endless energy below their yards, allowing them to heat and cool their homes without using oil, gas, or fossil fuels. 

Whether it’s a winter cold snap or a summer scorcher, the ground five feet below the surface maintains a constant temperature year-round that’s higher than average winter temperatures and lower than average summer temperatures.

Geothermal systems use this difference in temperature to transfer heat between your home and the earth with two key parts: a heat pump inside your home and a buried pipe system that circulates heat transfer fluid. 

The heat pump and circulating fluid continuously transfer heat. During summer, the geothermal system draws heat from the air in your home and transfers it to the ground. It draws heat from the ground during winter and moves it to your home, and will heat your home to whatever temperature you set your thermostat to. When designed and installed properly, geothermal will provide 100 percent heating and cooling in any climate and any building. 

Of course, don’t just take our word for it. As one Dandelion customer told us, “What I love most about the system is that it is a steady heat. My parents even commented that the house feels warmer when they came to visit.”

#5 Geothermal is too energy-intensive.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems use electricity to power a pump that moves heat into or out of the home. 

However, because the heat comes from the ground, which stays at a relatively constant temperature, the system doesn’t need to use as much energy for climate control as a fossil-fuel-powered furnace does. The US Department of Energy estimates that geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy use by up to 60 percent, underscoring the profound energy and cost savings associated with geothermal heating and cooling.

Is Geothermal Heating and Cooling Right For You?

Now that you know more about how Dandelion geothermal, contact us today to see if your home qualifies and to connect with the Dandelion Energy team to learn more about implementing a geothermal heating and cooling solution in your home.