Geothermal systems use the earth's constant underground temperature to heat and cool your home at a fraction of the cost of conventional HVAC. DL Heating & Cooling installs, repairs, and maintains geothermal systems across the Omaha metro.
☎ Call (402) 672-6062A few feet below the surface, the earth maintains a constant temperature of approximately 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit year-round — regardless of whether it is 100 degrees or -10 degrees above ground. A geothermal system takes advantage of this free, renewable energy source by circulating fluid through underground pipes (called a ground loop) to exchange heat with the earth.
In winter, the system extracts warmth from the ground and transfers it into your home. In summer, it pulls heat out of your home and deposits it into the cooler ground. Because the system is moving heat rather than generating it, geothermal delivers 3 to 5 units of heating or cooling energy for every 1 unit of electricity it consumes. That is 300 to 500 percent efficiency — far beyond any furnace, air conditioner, or conventional heat pump.
Geothermal works for most Omaha residential properties, but the best candidates are homeowners who plan to stay in their home long-term, want to drastically reduce energy bills, are building a new home, or are replacing an aging HVAC system. The higher upfront investment pays for itself through energy savings, typically within 5 to 10 years, and the system can last 25 to 50 years.
We provide free site assessments to evaluate your property and determine the best loop configuration, system size, and expected energy savings for your specific situation.
Vertical loops use deep boreholes (150 to 400 feet) drilled into the ground. Pipes are inserted into the boreholes and connected to the heat pump. This is the most common configuration for existing Omaha homes because it requires minimal yard space. A typical residential vertical loop system needs only a few hundred square feet of drilling area.
Horizontal loops use trenches dug 4 to 6 feet deep across a larger area of your property. Pipes are laid in the trenches and backfilled. This option is less expensive than vertical loops but requires more land, making it ideal for properties with larger yards or rural properties in areas like Elkhorn, Gretna, Bennington, and Valley.
If your property has a pond or lake, a closed-loop system can be submerged in the water. This is often the most cost-effective installation option because it eliminates the need for drilling or trenching.
Geothermal installation is a significant investment, but the long-term savings are substantial:
Residential geothermal system: $15,000 to $30,000 including the ground loop, heat pump, and indoor components. Costs vary based on home size, loop type, and soil conditions.
Federal tax credit: The federal government currently offers a 30 percent tax credit on geothermal system installations, which can reduce the net cost by $4,500 to $9,000.
Energy savings: Geothermal systems reduce heating and cooling costs by 40 to 70 percent. For an Omaha household spending $3,000 per year on heating and cooling, that means annual savings of $1,200 to $2,100.
Payback period: Most Omaha homeowners recoup their investment in 5 to 10 years through energy savings, after which the system essentially heats and cools your home for a fraction of conventional costs for the remaining 15 to 40 years of its lifespan.
Geothermal is the most energy-efficient HVAC technology available. Omaha homeowners with geothermal systems consistently report energy savings of 40 to 70 percent compared to their previous conventional systems.
The indoor heat pump components last 20 to 25 years, and the underground ground loop lasts 50 years or more. When the indoor unit eventually needs replacement, the most expensive part of the system is already in the ground, making future replacements much more affordable.
Geothermal systems have no noisy outdoor compressor unit. The entire system operates indoors with minimal noise — no more loud condenser humming outside your windows.
Unlike conventional AC units and heat pumps that sit outside and endure Nebraska's hail, ice, and extreme temperatures, a geothermal system's components are either underground or inside your home, protected from the elements.
Homes with geothermal systems typically command a premium at resale because buyers recognize the value of dramatically lower utility costs. A geothermal system can increase your home's value by 3 to 5 percent.
Geothermal systems require less maintenance than conventional HVAC systems because they have fewer moving parts and no outdoor unit exposed to weather. However, annual professional maintenance is still recommended to ensure peak efficiency. Our geothermal maintenance service includes inspecting the heat pump, checking refrigerant levels, testing the ground loop circulation pump, verifying thermostat operation, and inspecting electrical connections.
If your geothermal system is not performing as expected, call us at (402) 672-6062. Our technicians are trained in geothermal diagnostics and repair.
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