In part one of this series we examined the upfront cost of geothermal in Oklahoma. In part 2 we looked at the long term benefits as well as the efficiency ratings. In our final part of this series we will look at the actual, real world usage data that compares geothermal with conventional HVAC systems. This way, a homeowner can see a real world case study of the cost benefits that geothermal provides against conventional systems.

A 3-ton HVAC Comparison

This data compares 3-ton HVAC units in the Oklahoma City metro area. Obviously, not everyone has a 3-ton unit in their home, so there will be some differences. However, it should (and does) give consumers an excellent picture of the relative costs associated with using different HVAC systems.

The data is broken into cooling cost, heating cost, and total cost. Be sure to look at the differences in both heating and cooling. Some of the comparisons between geothermal and conventional units are quite staggering, especially if the homeowner is heating with propane. In heating mode, geothermal can cut a propane user’s bill up to 90%! In cooling mode, if the homeowner has an old air conditioning system with a low SEER rating the savings are quite substantial as well.

Informed Oklahomans

So, with this data in the hands of a homeowner in the market for a new HVAC system, a well informed decision can be made. There are obviously many factors to consider when purchasing an HVAC system, whether you are building a home or retrofitting one. We hope that this article series can provide homeowners with answers to most of the cost based questions about geothermal. We really want to challenge the status quo of the HVAC industry and give homeowners the resources to make educated, sensible judgments. Because, the comfort of your home for the next 20 years is worth seriously considering.