Most propane furnaces have efficiency ratings around 90 to 95 percent. The remaining 10 percent escapes through the flue during combustion. Geothermal heat pumps are often measured using a coefficient of performance – a ratio of heat produced to energy consumed to produce it. The coefficient of performance is multiplied by 100 to determine the efficiency rating. Geothermal heat pumps often offer efficiency levels of 300 to 600 percent! Ratings above 100 percent indicate the system is creating more energy than it is consuming.
Here is a list of reasons to consider making the switch from propane to geothermal:
- Conserve resources. Geothermal units don’t use fossil fuels but rather use the earth’s energy in a non-invasive way.
- While furnaces and boilers only perform heating functions, geothermal heat pumps are also capable cooling too!
- An estimated yearly savings of approximately 70-80% over propane heating systems, depending on your climate and personal usage.
- Propane deliveries can be expensive and the tank could be potentially dangerous.
- Geothermal units are estimated to last over two decades while the underground loop can last up to 50 years!
- The unpredictable fluctuations in propane prices.
