Is Geothermal the better than a boiler?
Geo is better than a boiler in the long run. the cost of installation is rather expensive as you must drill down anywhere from 450' to 800'. making it possible to have geothermal heating anywhere. but being as it takes very little to operate per year, geo should pay itself off within 15-18 yrs, depending on original installation and current fuel costs.
Yes, Geothermal price per gallon never goes up or burn down your house. Unlike oil- or gas-fired heating boilers systems, even the low temperature technology with an condenser. All systems use a electric thermostat. oil and gas use a limit switch is a safety control switch located on the furnace just below the plenum. If the plenum gets too hot, the limit switch shuts off the burner. It also shuts off the blower when the temperature drops to a certain level after the burner has shut off. If the blower runs continuously, either the blower control on the thermostat has been set to the ON position or the limit control switch needs adjustment Gas furnaces and heaters have control shutoffs to prevent gas leaks, but they are not fail-safe. If you smell gas in your house, do not turn any lights on or off, and do not try to shut off the gas leading to the furnace. Get out of the house, leaving the door open, and immediately call the gas company or the fire department to report a leak. Do not re-enter your home.
Geothermal is the hot water that must be pumped through you home heating system. Oft times the water is very hard and the calcium buildup in the pipes becomes a problem, so systems have been developed to run fluid through a closed pipe system that is heated by the natural hot water and then transfers the heat to the home. Geothermal is naturally occurring - but not in all areas. Check with a local heating contractor to get prices on both. The geothermal will be costly to install, but you will only need power to circulate the water. With a boiler you will be paying for fuel to heat the water.
Geothermal is less expensive over the long term than any other type of heating or cooling. It's efficiency is around 115% versus the best boiler which gets 98%. That is because you are moving, not creating heat. Installed loops in the ground are generally rated to last for the next 50 years with no serious maintenance. Geothermal will work with existing duct work systems. There is no need to circulate water around the house. The liquid going outside is usually treated and contained, not general water. If you will live at your location for the next 5 to 15 years it will pay for itself. The length of time it takes to pay you back depends on what you are replacing. New construction should do so if they possibly can afford to do so regardless of if you will live there for a long time or not. This will significantly raise the value of the house.
Will this location have absolutely no power (grid or on site power generation) failure? Geo must have electricity to move water via pumps. Boilers, if placed below the grade of the intended heat unloading zone can have sufficient convection to move heat, without pumps. Just one aspect to consider.
