How My Geothermal Heat Pump Really Performed (2 Years)

Quick Overview

The owner found that their WaterFurnace 7 Series geothermal heat pump, installed in a brand new, highly insulated Massachusetts home, performed exceptionally well over two years, resulting in extremely low annual energy costs of around $949 (or $90.06/month) for HVAC and hot water production, making the high upfront investment worthwhile despite the initial $78,000 cost before incentives.

Key Points: The geothermal system's first full year operating cost was $949 ($60.20/month average), with the second year costing slightly more at $954. The geothermal system's energy use accounted for only 14.8% of the home's total energy consumption, significantly less than the 52% typically used by HVAC in US homes. The home's high insulation and the geothermal system's variable capacity allowed for maintaining a consistent temperature range of 72°F to 75°F without significant temperature swings or requiring manual thermostat adjustments. The initial installation cost was $78,000, which was reduced to $54,600 after claiming the 30% federal Clean Energy Tax Credit. The geothermal system's operating cost is projected to remain significantly lower (around $950/year) compared to a comparable air source heat pump (projected $2,100/year) over 30 years. The system includes a desuperheater that captures waste heat to preheat water, feeding into a separate hot water tank, which further reduces utility bills. The installer used small, nimble drilling rigs suitable for tighter locations, though the author notes that going with a horizontal loop instead of vertical drilling could reduce initial costs.

Context: The video provides a two-year review of the performance and cost savings associated with installing a high-efficiency WaterFurnace 7 Series geothermal heat pump system in a newly constructed, highly energy-efficient home in Massachusetts. The owner had aggressive net-zero goals and invested heavily upfront in solar panels and the geothermal system to achieve long-term operational savings and energy independence.