Fleishman Construction and Fleishman Cabinets

Renewable energy from the Earths core

Geothermal, The Real Deal?

By: The Fleishman Build Team

Is Geothermal all it's cracked up to be?

Geothermal, The Real Deal?

Welcome to another edition of From the Builder’s Chair where we provide you with tips and techniques for building your new home.

Geothermal used in residential applications is a relatively new product despite the fact that the first geothermal plant was introduced in Italy in 1904. While commercial applications differ from residential applications in many ways, the point of geothermal remains the same: To provide a cost effective and renewable source of energy.

What is Geothermal?

What is Geothermal, and how does it work?
A geothermal system in a residential application is a way for home owners to heat and cool their environment. A series of pipes called a ‘loop’ is coupled with a pump to circulate fluid as much as 250 feet below the Earth’s surface. When the fluid returns to the surface it is pumped into the home where an exchanger releases the Earth’s energy in the form of heat during the winter. In the summer, the process is reversed as the fluid pumps the heat of the home down into the earth, thereby cooling the home.

A Measurable Difference

Geothermal is the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly way to regulate temperature inside of a home. Cooling costs can see as much as a 70% reduction in the summer, and heating bills can be reduced by up to 50% in the winter. The geothermal system uses the same type of thermostat and duct work as conventional heating and cooling systems require so your home is exactly the temperature you prefer. While you won’t notice a difference between a geothermal unit and a conventional heating/cooling unit as far the comfort of your home is concerned, you will notice a definite difference in your utility bills. It’s true that geothermal units have a higher upfront cost than traditional heating and cooling, but the difference is recovered within 3-5 years of installation. After that the savings last a lifetime.

Fleishman Construction Services Inc. is proud to partner with experts in the geothermal field. We are one of the few builders in Central Iowa that actively supports geothermal and recommends this option to homeowners. It’s friendly to the environment, and it’s friendly to your pocketbook. We’d be happy to discuss making your new home more ‘green’ today. Give us a call at 515.989.9819.