Compare Geothermal & Gas Heating

Geothermal heat pumps are similar to air-to-air heat pumps. Rather than make heat, they use geothermal heat and move it around. Compared to gas heating, they have a higher initial cost, but have lower operating costs. They can also serve as a cooling system.

Function

Geothermal heat pumps circulate water or refrigerant through a system of underground pipes and pumps in the house. Gas heating heats air and circulates it through a system of vents.

Initial Installation Cost

The initial cost for a geothermal system, according to Green-Energy-Efficient-Homes, is about $2,500 for a ton of capacity, with a 3-ton capacity being typical for a single-family home. This is much more expensive than the cost of a regular gas furnace with an air conditioner at about $4,000.

Operation

Geothermal heat pumps have a lower operating cost than gas heating because it takes advantage of the consistent temperature of the Earth's subsurface. Unlike other heat pump systems, geothermal also works in more extreme climates.

Efficiency

Overall, geothermal heat pumps are more efficient because of their source of heat. The ground tends to stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which means geothermal heat pumps need to use less energy.

Cooling

A gas heating system cannot provide air-conditioning. However, geothermal heat pumps can do both.

References

• Energy Right: Geothermal Heat Pump
• U.S. Department of Energy: Heat Pump Systems
• Green-Energy-Efficient-Homes: Geothermal vs. High-efficiency Gas Furnace