Improving Your Land with Geothermal Heating and Cooling

There are plenty of things your land can provide you with: food, mineral wealth, recreation, etc. But what about using your land to heat and cool all of your buildings?

Geothermal heating and cooling allow you to do just that, using underground pipes to draw heat from the ground in winter and transfer it there in the summer. And because it’s renewable, you can feel good knowing you’ve invested in a clean and sustainable energy source for your property.

Here’s what to know about geothermal heating and cooling, including how it works, how much it costs, and what types of properties it works best for. 

What is Geothermal Heating and Cooling?

Geothermal heating and cooling uses geothermal energy – i.e. heat from the earth – to manage the temperature in your buildings. Geothermal energy can also be used for agricultural or industrial processes, and unlike wind or solar, you never have to worry about poor weather conditions taking out your system. 

The ground-source heat pumps used in geothermal heating and cooling have been in use in the United States since the 1940s, although the principle of using the constant temperature of the earth’s core as an exchange medium rather than outside air temperature has been known since ancient times. Currently, the U.S. leads the world in geothermal energy production, and there are about 50,000 to 100,000 geothermal heating and cooling systems installed each year in the country, with plenty of room for expansion. 

How Does Geothermal Heating and Cooling Work?

Geothermal heating and cooling is surprisingly simple. A geothermal heat pump is installed on your property and creates an exchange loop between your building(s) and the ground. During the winter, when the air temperature is cooler, the exchange carries warm air from the ground into your home or other structures. It does the opposite in summer, pumping hot indoor air underground and cycling in cooler air from the ground up. 

This is a good system for several reasons. Most notably, while air temperatures in many places can vary by 100 degrees or so over the course of a year, the earth as little as four feet below the ground remains constant, meaning you always have reliable access to comfortable air. 

Pros and Cons of Using Geothermal Energy on Your Land

Is geothermal heating and cooling a good investment for your land? That depends on your preferences, your budget, and your location, though many landowners can benefit greatly from this sort of system. 

Pros of Geothermal Heating and Cooling

• Sustainability: Geothermal energy is a clean and renewable resource and eliminates the need for fossil fuels to generate heat on your property. 
• Use: In addition to heating or cooling your buildings, geothermal energy can also be used to operate your water heater and for certain agricultural and industrial purposes.
• Efficiency: Geothermal heating and cooling is incredibly efficient and can be made even more so if your land contains a liquid water source.
• Adaptable: There are geothermal systems tailored for a range of climate and soil variations so you can usually find a solution for where you’re situated. 
• Scale: Done right, geothermal heating and cooling systems are more than sufficient for heavy-duty commercial installations. 
• Durability: Most geothermal systems last for generations and are practically maintenance-free. 
• Versatility: The system requires a small footprint on your land and can be installed vertically for small lots, with holes drilled several hundred feet into the earth if necessary. 
• Comfort: Geothermal heating and cooling is incredibly quiet and can be equipped with fans and compressors for additional comfort and energy savings. 

Cons of Geothermal Heating and Cooling

• Cost: The upfront cost for a geothermal exchange system can run as high as $40,000 or more, though the payback period is usually only 5-10 years. 
• Limitations: Geothermal systems might not work as well in areas with rocky terrain or poor thermal conductivity, and can be insufficient for internal cooling in really hot climates. 
• Complexity: Because of its complexity, if there’s a problem with your geothermal heat pump, you’ll need to call in a specialist rather than your local HVAC company. 
• Repairs: The cost of repairs can be higher for a geothermal system than a traditional heating and cooling system due to the need for specialized labor and parts. 
• Land Risks: While rare, installing and maintaining a geothermal system comes with a risk of land fractures and groundwater contamination.

Is Geothermal Heating and Cooling Right for You?

Geothermal heat pumps can be used to heat and cool all sorts of structures on your property, including residences, out-buildings, and barns. And it’s usually doable no matter your acreage, with the option for a vertical system if you’re located in a city or suburb. 

Some features of your land can make geothermal heating and cooling even more efficient – for example, if you have access to a pond, lake, or well system. These allow for cost-effective water-loop systems that use fluid to better circulate air between your building and the ground. 

Scenarios where geothermal heating and cooling may not be a good fit are if your land is located somewhere with year-round extreme heat, or if you can’t get a permit due to local regulations or other issues. If that’s the case, you may want to look into alternative energy sources. Note that solar and wind power can both be used to supplement geothermal heating and cooling production, which still requires some electricity in order to function.

A comprehensive land assessment is a must before you can get a geothermal heat pump installed, and will tell you whether your property is suitable for geothermal heating and cooling and what kind of system would work best. If you’re interested in learning more, contact a geothermal energy company in your area to begin the process.