Environment

The EPA endorses geothermal as the most efficient, cleanest and most cost-effective heating and cooling system available. An Ultra system provides:

  • Efficiency. 300% - 500% efficient as opposed to fossil fuels which are 90% efficient.
  • A smaller carbon footprint. Your heating and cooling choices can make more of an impact than your driving habits. An Ultra system eliminates emissions from in-home combustion and greatly reduces electricity usage.
  • Fuel independence. As the heat and pressure (and prices) increase, utility companies are buying more and more power from sustainable sources, and even the oil companies are looking for alternatives to fossil fuels. We can help you do your part. An Ultra system is a solution – not a fossil.
  • Clean air inside and out. Breathe easy. Our systems produce no toxic fumes in your home and send no hazardous emissions up your chimney.

With geothermal, you  no longer have to choose between your comfort and your values.

Tools


Geothermal vs Conventional Heating and Cooling

When your geothermal system is installed and operating, you have a fully integrated, single-source home energy system. There is no tank to fill and only one energy bill to pay. A single unit provides both heating and cooling. And, you have the peace of mind that comes from a totally combustion-free home.

Savings Intro

To compare heating systems (apples to apples) you need a common denominator. We have choosen to use "1 million BTUs" because many homes use between 45,000 - 85,000 BTUs per hour on a very cold winter day, which is just over a million BTUs per day (about 125,000,000 BTUs per year).

Because each system uses a different fuel type we need to know how many BTUs a unit of fuel contains (A). Then, using efficiency ratings of each system (B), you can calculate the number of units required to create 1 million BTUs (C), which is used to compare costs (see calculator/next tab).

   
A
B
C
Fuel Type
Fuel Unit
BTU/Unit
Heating System
Efficiency
Units Required
1 million BTU

#2 Fuel Oil
Gallon
138,000
65%
78%
84%
92%
11.15
9.29
8.63
7.88
Natural Gas
Therm
100,000
65%
78%
84%
92%
16.7
14.3
12.5
11.1
Propane
Gallon
90,000
65%
78%
84%
92%
17.5
15.0
13.1
11.6
Electric
Baseboard
kWh
3,413
100%
293
Air Source
Heat Pump
kWh
3,413
293 / 2.5 COP (Warm Climate)
293 / 1.8 COP (Cold Climate)

117.20
162.78
Geothermal Heat Pump
kWh
3,413
293 / 3.9 COP (Warm Climate)
293 / 3.4 COP (Cold Climate)
293 / 4.2 COP (Hydronic)
 75.13
86.18
69.76

Heat Pump efficiency is measured as Coefficient of Performance (COP). For instance a baseboard electric heater has a COP of 1 (it is 100% efficient). Geothermal Heat Pumps in the Northeast have COPs of 3.4 or higher (depending on system design and performance).

How to Use This Calculator

To generate 1,000,000 BTUs simply enter the units required and the cost per unit of fuel.

Type of Fuel
Units Required per M
From Col C (previous tab)
Price per Gallon
of Fuel or kWh
  
Cost per Million
BTUs ($)
Fuel Oil #2
Natural Gas
Propane Gas
Electric
Resistance
Air Source HP
Water to Air Geothermal HP