If you’re a homeowner using a geothermal heat pump for heating and cooling, you might have received notices from your utility company indicating that your electricity usage is higher than your neighbors’. While these notifications can be surprising, they’re often not a cause for concern. In fact, they highlight some of the unique benefits of your geothermal system. Let’s explore why this happens and why you can feel proud of your choice in energy-efficient home climate control.
Why Geothermal Heat Pumps Use More Electricity
1. Electricity Powers Your Entire Climate System
Geothermal heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat between your home and the ground. Unlike traditional heating systems that may rely on natural gas, oil, or propane, GHPs are entirely powered by electricity and the natural heat energy found underground. This means that all of your heating, cooling, and sometimes even hot water needs are met through your electrical system, leading to higher electricity usage.
2. Comparing Apples to Oranges
When utility companies compare your energy usage to your neighbors’, they may not be considering the type of heating and cooling systems being used. If your neighbors are using natural gas or oil for heating, their electricity usage will be lower because those systems are not fully electric. However, their overall energy consumption (including gas or oil) might actually be similar to or even higher than yours.
RG&E Home Energy Report Analysis
Taking a look at the report above, the homeowner is shown that they use more electricity than their neighbors. The report shows they are being compared to homes from the 1950s-1960s between 700-1300 sq/ft in size with non electric heating. Here’s the problem: This Webster NY home was built in 2022, is 2500 sq/ft, is all electric and has additional appliances that may not be present in the neighbor’s homes.
Let’s dive deep into the impact of their geothermal system:
This data shows us that for the month of June, the geothermal heat pump system only accounted for 154kWh of energy usage. That calculates to about $23 total cost to air condition the entire home for the month of June (at 15 cents per kWh rate).
The remainder of the homeowner’s energy usage comes from their appliances, pool heaters, TVs, etc. which can fluctuate with the time of the year.
The Positive Impact of Geothermal Heat Pumps
1. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Use
One of the most significant benefits of geothermal heat pumps is their use of renewable energy. In Western New York, a significant portion of the electricity generated comes from renewable sources. According to the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), about 29% of the state’s electricity is generated from renewable resources, including hydropower, wind, and solar. By using a GHP, you’re tapping into this cleaner energy, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy grid.
As New York seeks to reach 100% emission free electricity by 2040, we can look forward to living in a state that does not produce emissions to heat, cool or power our lives!
Did you know, at any given time you can log onto the NYISO (New York Independent System Operator) website to view data on the state’s grid system and where our power is sourced from? This data changes in real time, meaning these numbers can change every 5 minutes!
Today’s (July 25th 2024 11:30A) Real Time Fuel Mix:
Hydro Power: 18.37%
Wind: 5.06%
Other Renewables (Solar PV, etc.): 2.47%
Nuclear: 16.67%
Total Alternative Energy Usage: 42.57%
2. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Since GHPs don’t rely on fossil fuels, they produce zero onsite emissions. This makes them an environmentally friendly choice, helping to reduce your household’s carbon footprint. While your electricity bill might reflect higher usage, the overall environmental impact is much lower compared to homes using fossil fuel-based heating systems.
3. Year-Round Efficiency
Geothermal heat pumps are known for their high efficiency, providing heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. This efficiency translates to lower overall energy costs, even if electricity consumption is higher. In fact, GHPs can save homeowners up to 50-70% on heating costs and 20-50% on cooling costs compared to traditional systems.
Want to take a look at the Winter energy usage to heat a home with geothermal? Here is the data from the same house shown above. $87 to heat a 2500 sq/ft home in cold February in Western New York. This equals about $3 per day to heat the home.
Embrace the Benefits of Your Geothermal System
Receiving a notice about higher electricity usage might seem concerning at first, but it’s essential to understand the context:
- Lower Total Energy Use: While your electricity usage is higher, your total energy consumption may be lower than homes using fossil fuels.
- Supporting a Greener Future: By using a geothermal heat pump, you’re playing a part in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and supporting renewable energy growth in Western New York.
Conclusion
Using a geothermal heat pump is an excellent choice for efficient, renewable heating and cooling. While you may see higher electricity usage on your utility bill, this is a positive indication that your home is powered by a cleaner, more sustainable energy source and that you are not using fossil fuels.
By choosing geothermal, you’re not only enjoying cost savings and comfort but also contributing to a healthier planet. So, the next time you receive a notice about your electricity usage, take pride in knowing that you’re making a positive impact on the environment and setting a great example for sustainable living.
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