Geothermal systems are being installed in residential and commercial buildings across Louisville, from major projects to single-family homes.
The trend is bolstered by a 30% federal tax credit and a trend of climate-conscious consumers looking to reduce the environmental footprint of their property.
But the technology can also bring significant savings on utility bills in the long term.
The Courier Journal spoke with some industry experts and consumers about geothermal systems and considerations for property owners interested in the technology. Here’s what to know:
Ask an expert
Typically, the first step for assessing the potential for geothermal heating and cooling in a building is a consultation.
An expert will calculate a home’s heating and cooling needs, and determine whether there’s room to install the underground loop, which is how the system exchanges heat with the Earth.
Horizontal loops take more space on the surface, but are more shallow, while vertical loops take less surface area and are drilled deeper.
Larger buildings require more capacity to heat and cool. Experts will also assess how “leaky” a building is — a lack of insulation means heating and cooling systems must work harder to maintain indoor temperatures.
Consider the costs
The biggest barrier to a building’s transition to geothermal heating and cooling is upfront cost, including drilling into the Earth in some cases.
Larry Kaelin, who’s been in the geothermal installation business for 30 years and owns the local company Geothermal by Design, said the key consideration for a single-family home installation is time.
“Even though the installation price of a geothermal system can be several times that of an air-source system of the same heating and cooling capacity, the additional costs may be returned in energy savings in 5 to 10 years, depending on the cost of energy and available incentives in your area,” according to the Department of Energy.
If a homeowner isn’t going to live in a home for 10 years or more, shouldering the upfront costs of installation might not make sense, Kaelin said.
Geothermal heat pump systems usually involve far less maintenance cost. And the Department of Energy rates geothermal heat pump equipment for a longer lifespan than conventional systems.
“You’ll buy two of those systems before you buy another one of these,” Kaelin often tells customers in his geothermal sales pitch.
Some geothermal systems can also divert excess heat for a home’s hot water needs, which may convert to additional savings, especially in the summer.
Geothermal can pair well with other renewables
Several years ago, Sam Avery installed geothermal at his farm in Hart County.
Avery is a renewable energy advocate and former solar installer, and has solar power at his farmhouse. He said the two make a good pairing and help with energy usage.
“If I didn’t have geothermal, I would use up all of my solar energy heating my house,” he said, “and I don’t want to do that.”
When the home was built, Avery didn’t know he was going to install geothermal, but it was a fit for his property.
Not all homes will be as compatible, but geothermal is “a pretty simple technology, and it’s adaptable,” he said. “I think it can be used for a lot of things that it’s not being used for now.”
Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter for The Courier Journal. Reach him directly at cgiffin@gannett.com or on X@byconnorgiffin.
