Many people living in rural areas such as the outskirts of the San Franciso Bay are using propane for heating their homes, heating water and other functions because there are no natural gas lines to their homes.  Portions of Saratoga Hills, Los Gatos Mountains, Ben Lomond, Felton, Boulder Creek, Bear Creek, Scotts Valley, Morgan Hill, Woodside, small coastal towns and other rural locations are on propane.

Propane is an expensive way to heat.  There are two solutions that propane using households may consider and these are installing an energy efficient gas burning furnace or a geothermal system.

Today’s high efficent gas furnaces (these can also burn propane with some adjustments) are as much as 98% efficient.  This is much more efficient than the gas furnaces of the past that used 40-80% of the gas – this would mean that these older furnaces are between 40-80% efficient.  Even a recently installed standard efficient (80% efficient) may be considered for replacement in a home that uses propane.

In a typical home with natural gas or oil furnaces when switching to the second option, geothermal, can see savings range of $600 to $1,200 annually (actual savings vary depending on usage, weather and local utility rates).  If you are using propane for these functions at today’s propane costs, you can expect the savings to be higher.

What is a geothermal system?  In short, geothermal systems use the earth’s temperature to heat and cool air within homes and it can also heat hot water.  This temperature is tapped into by either drilling lines into the earth and exchanging the heat with the earth’s temperatures.

The use of geothermal loops allow geothermal units to use only a relatively small amount of electricity. The unit merely transfers heat to and from the earth, rather than creating it from fossil fuel sources. With geothermal you will enjoy savings up to 60% over conventional systems.

Typically to take advantage of the geothermal products you either need to have space to drill into the earth to set up the geothermal or a swimming pool on the premises.  The swimming pool can be used for the geothermal system too.  A side benefit from the swimming pool option is that you get warmer pool water with the heat thrown from your home in the summer months.

Get out from under that propane tank!

Geothermal is ideal for rural locations.  These locations often use expensive propane or electrical heat in their homes.  It’s time to shed some of that propane or electrical expense by using geothermal for heating and cooling.

The beauty of geothermal is that it is one of the last energy efficient changes you can make that the Federal Government will allow a 30% tax credit.  Consult your tax professional to see how to qualify.

 

 

If you need help with temperature, contact Cold Craft, Inc.

408.374.7292 or [email protected]