How efficient is a geothermal system?
A geothermal system is four to five times more efficient than the most efficient ordinary system. With a normal furnace, anywhere from 4% – 30+% of the gas used is lost due to combustion. Because geothermal systems do not burn fossil fuels to make heat, they provide up to five units of energy for every one unit used to power the system. How is the efficiency rated? All heating and cooling systems have a rated efficiency from a U.S. governmental agency. Fossil fuel furnaces have a percentage efficiency rating. These are figured based on how much of the gasses used by the furnace are actually turned into heat for the home. Most furnaces installed today are between 80-95% efficiency, meaning that the rest is lost in combustion or exhaust. Geothermal heat pumps, as well as all other types of heat pumps, have efficiencies rated according to their coefficient of performance or COP. It’s a scientific way of determining how much energy the system produces versus how much it uses. Most geotherm
A geothermal system is three to four times more efficient than the most efficient ordinary system. Because geothermal systems do not burn fossil fuels to make heat, they provide three to four units of energy for every one unit used to power the system. Is the efficiency rating actual or just a manufacturer’s average? All heating and cooling systems have a rated efficiency from a U.S. governmental agency. Fossil fuel furnaces have a percentage efficiency rating. Natural gas, propane and fuel oil furnaces have efficiency ratings based on laboratory conditions. To get an accurate installed efficiency rating, factors such as flue gas heat losses and cycling losses caused by oversizing, blower fan electrical usage, etc., must be included. Geothermal heat pumps, as well as all other types of heat pumps, have efficiencies rated according to their coefficient of performance or COP. It’s a scientific way of determining how much energy the system produces versus how much it uses. Most geothermal
