Best Values in the City: Putting a Cap on Heating Costs

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SOLAR POWER

There are two forms — solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, which produce electricity directly from sunlight, and solar thermal.  In a thermal system, two large, flat plates on the roof capture and store heat from the sun. That energy warms an 80-gallon water-storage tank. Heat is delivered in a variety of ways: radiant floor units, hot-water baseboards, hot-water radiators or with a central forced-air system.

PLUSES

  1. Solar panels take advantage of a renewable form of energy and reduce utility costs.
  2. A 30-percent federal tax credit is available for solar energy products.
  3. There are virtually no maintenance costs.

CONSIDERATIONS

  1. Seeing a return on your investment can take longer: Solar thermal systems have a payback of five to six years, while PV systems generally have a payback at 15 to 18 years.

OTHER

  1. The installation of a typical solar thermal system is about $7,500 to $9,000 and comes with a 10-year warranty.
  2. Make sure the panels are certified by the solar rating and certification corporation (SRCC www.solarrating.org).

GEOTHERMAL

Geothermal, literally meaning "heat from the earth," works by using a system of underground pipes that capture heat from the ground and transfer it back into the house.

PLUSES

  1. Very energy-efficient; most geothermal heating systems can also be reversed to provide central cooling as well.
  2. Homeowners who install a geothermal heat pump in 2009 or later are eligible for a federal tax credit of 30 percent of the installation cost.
  3. You'll usually see a return on your investment in four to five years for a 2,000-square-foot home.
  4. The life expectancy of a geothermal system is about 24 years; maintenance costs are minimal.

CONSIDERATIONS

  1. Initial installation may be more expensive than other heating systems.
  2. Installing underground (vertical or compact horizontal) piping for an existing home may be more expensive; more economical horizontal ground loops are typically used for new construction with sufficient land.

OTHER

  1. Getting the correct size unit installed in your home is important.
  2. The average unit size for a 2,000-square-foot house would be about three tons, and geothermal ranges from about $4,000 to $7,000 per ton.

HEAT PUMP

Heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space into a warm space, from the outdoors in during the heating season and from the indoors out during the cooling season.

PLUSES

  1. Heat pumps move heat rather than generate it; they can provide up to four times the energy they consume.
  2. High-efficiency heat pumps also dehumidify better than standard central air conditioners.
  3. Heat pumps meeting federal energy standards can qualify for a 30-percent tax credit, up to $1,500.

CONSIDERATIONS

  1. Heat pumps are powered by electricity, so the cost to run them is tied to electricity rates.
  2. Heat pump compressors and fans can be noisy; look for a model with a lower outdoor noise rating and install the unit on a noise-absorbing base.

OTHER

  1. When choosing a heat pump, look for the ENERGY STAR® label, awarded to those units with SEERs of 12 or greater and HSPFs of 7 or greater.
  2. Installation costs vary; a high-efficiency heat pump for a 2,000-square-foot house ranges from $6,000 to $12,000.