Furnace Replacement in a Pinch

My Furnace is Dying, What are my options?

The furnace service technician has just left your house and he left you with terrible news – your furnace needs to be replaced. While the threat of having no heat tomorrow morning can cause you to make a haste decision about replacing your furnace, remember this is a decision that you only make once every 15 years. Its time to put some thought into what it best for you in the future.   Can you afford to pay high-energy bills for another few decades?

Before you install a new gas or oil furnace consider installing a geothermal heating and cooling system instead.

Installation Costs

Geothermal heat pumps have a greater first cost than a replacement furnace.  However if you are planning on living in your house more than 7 years, than the investment in a geothermal heating and cooling system is worthwhile.   The return on investment is even greater when you would replace a central air conditioning system as part of the furnace replacement.   A GHP provides the heating, cooling, and fifty percent of the domestic hot water for your house.

Installation Timeline

The ground loop installation is typically the longest part of the installation process.  Once the ground loop is installed, the installation of the actual equipment typically only takes a day or two to complete.   Most installation will result in no loss of heat overnight.   A geothermal heating and cooling system can be handling your comfort needs in as little as two weeks from today.

But My Furnace is Broken and I Need Heat!

Many geothermal dealers have temporary furnaces that they can install for situations like yours.   While the furnace may be slightly oversized and gently used, it will provide heat during the lag between signing a contract for a geothermal job and starting the installation.

Increased Comfort

Furnaces are historically associated with blasts of hot air followed by a wide range of temperature swings in your house.   A GHP installed with a variable speed blower motor will match the load of your house, while delivering air no greater than 100 degrees F in temperature.   This results in an increase in comfort level and greater humidity control.

Government Rebates

The Untied States Federal Government currently has a 30% federal tax credit in effect.  This is in addition to any state and utility rebates.   When the initial first cost of a geothermal system is looked at after the rebates, your energy bills will be lower each month, even with a finance payment on the equipment.   This can result in a positive cash flow each month to you.

Try the Geothermal Savings Calculator to see what you could save!

About the Author

Zachary Fink is an IGSHPA certified installer on Long Island, NY.  He has been involved in the design and installation of more than 75 geothermal heat pump systems over the past three years, for houses ranging in size from 1,000 to 25,000 square feet.