Geothermal Heating And Cooling Calculator

Geothermal Savings Equation:

\[ Savings = Load \times (1 - \frac{Geothermal\ Efficiency}{Conventional\ Efficiency}) \times Cost \]

Load:

kWh/year

Geothermal Efficiency:

COP

Conventional Efficiency:

COP

Cost:

$/kWh

Savings:

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1. What is the Geothermal Heating And Cooling Calculator?

The Geothermal Heating And Cooling Calculator estimates annual savings from geothermal systems compared to conventional heating and cooling systems. It calculates cost savings based on energy load, efficiency coefficients, and electricity costs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the geothermal savings equation:

\[ Savings = Load \times (1 - \frac{Geothermal\ Efficiency}{Conventional\ Efficiency}) \times Cost \]

Where:

$ Load $ — Annual energy consumption (kWh/year)
$ Geothermal\ Efficiency $ — Coefficient of Performance (COP) for geothermal system
$ Conventional\ Efficiency $ — Coefficient of Performance (COP) for conventional system
$ Cost $ — Electricity cost ($/kWh)

Explanation: The equation calculates the difference in energy consumption between geothermal and conventional systems, multiplied by the cost per kWh to determine annual savings.

3. Importance of Geothermal Savings Calculation

Details: Accurate savings estimation is crucial for evaluating the financial viability of geothermal system investments, comparing long-term costs, and making informed decisions about energy-efficient upgrades.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter annual energy load in kWh/year, geothermal and conventional system efficiencies as COP values, and electricity cost in $/kWh. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is COP (Coefficient of Performance)?
A: COP measures heating/cooling efficiency - higher COP means more efficient system. Geothermal systems typically have COP of 3-5, while conventional systems range from 1-3.

Q2: How do I determine my annual energy load?
A: Check your utility bills for annual kWh consumption, or use energy audit tools. Load represents total heating and cooling energy used per year.

Q3: What are typical geothermal system savings?
A: Geothermal systems can save 30-70% on heating costs and 20-50% on cooling costs compared to conventional systems, depending on local climate and energy prices.

Q4: Are there additional costs not included in this calculation?
A: Yes, this calculates energy savings only. Installation costs, maintenance, and potential tax incentives should be considered for complete financial analysis.

Q5: How accurate is this savings estimate?
A: This provides a good initial estimate. Actual savings may vary based on system performance, climate conditions, usage patterns, and local utility rates.