Conventional Heating and Cooling Systems Versus Geothermal
The following table summarizes the pros and cons of heating and cooling your property with geothermal compared to more conventional methods - i.e. combustion heat (created by burning wood or a fossil fuel such as propane, coal, heating oil, natural gas) in combination with conventional electric air conditioning:
| Conventional | Geothermal |
|---|---|
| Cheaper to initially install | More expensive to initially install |
| More expensive on a monthly basis | Lower monthly expenses |
| Unpredictable costs, based on fuel prices | Less variable monthly costs |
| Pollutes the air and contributes to greenhouse gases | Much less pollution |
| Both furnaces and air conditioning units can be noisy | Geothermal systems are very quiet |
| Could be a safety hazard if the system malfunctions and leaks carbon monoxide | n/a |
| Levels of heat and coolness can vary as the system constantly adjusts to different temperatures throughout the day | A more consistent temperature is maintained |
| Outdoor units may be stolen or vandalized | Since GHPs usually have no outdoor compressors or cooling towers, the potential for vandalism is greatly reduced |