In contrast with furnaces and boilers which generate heat, a heat pump moves heat – from outside the building to the inside (or the reverse in cooling mode). It is the same technology used in refrigerators and air conditioners.
There are two types of heat pumps - Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pumps and Air Source Heat Pumps.
Ground Source Heat Pumps
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) use the 50-55 degree temperature found in the ground in the Northeast as a heat source (or heat sink in cooling mode).
Air Source Heat Pumps
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) work by transferring heat absorbed from the outside air to an indoor space. This means when it’s 25 degrees outside an air source heat pump needs to work a lot harder and uses more energy to reach the desired temperature compared to a ground source heat pump.
Efficiency and System Performance
Overall, both types of heat pumps are 2-4X more energy efficient than traditional oil furnaces and conventional air conditioners. Both systems use the same core heat pump technology, but Ground Source Heat Pumps have a huge advantage in cold winter and hot summer weather climates since they pull and push heat from a stable source below the surface of your yard.
Dandelion Ground Source Heat Pump
VS
Carrier Air Source Heat Pump
4.4 COP
Coefficient of Performance
2.6 COP
2.94 COP
Coefficient of Performance at 0°F
1.0 COP
24.6 EER
Energy Efficiency Ratio
13 EER
Not needed
Back Up Fuel Source
May be needed in cold weather climates
When it is 0°F outside, an Air Source Heat Pump will require about 3.6 times as much electricity as a Ground Source Heat Pump to deliver the same amount of heat. The air source heat pump will perform at 1.0 COP when the temperature drops below 0°F while the Ground Source Heat Pump will be able to maintain a 2.94 COP at 0°F. Ground Source Heat Pumps provide significantly larger energy savings as they are much more efficient at heating a home in the coldest winters, no matter what the air temperature drops to outside.
For proper installation, Ground Source Heat Pumps and Air Source Heat Pumps require heating and cooling ductwork and a well insulated home. While ground loop installation requires yard space and can be disruptive, the Ground Source Heat Pump will not be visible once installed and will not change the look of your property.
Installing an Air Source Heat Pump is quicker and easier than a Ground Source Heat Pump but the units require outdoor space for the condenser and can be noisy when operating.
While Ground Source Heat Pumps are more expensive upfront, they often have a shorter payback period and provide a better return on investment since annual energy savings are significantly higher. A homeowner with a Ground Source Heat Pump in a 2,500 square foot house can expect to save $16,475.20 more over the 20 year lifespan of both systems.
Dandelion Ground Source Heat Pump can reduce a home’s CO2 emissions by up to 80%
20%
Air Source Heat Pumps can reduce a home’s CO2 emissions by up to 20%
Switching to a Ground Source Heat Pump is the single biggest thing homeowners can do to reduce their Carbon Footprint.
Currently, space heating, air conditioning, and water heating account for ~70% of energy use in the home. Switching from an outdated oil furnace and central AC to Ground Source Heat Pumps can reduce a home’s CO2 emissions by up to 80%.
17%
If all homeowners in the Northeast were to switch to Ground Source Heat Pumps by 2050, peak demand on the grid would increase by about 17%, which is on pace with the projected energy demand.
94%
With all Air Source Heat Pumps across the Northeast, peak electricity demand would almost double, increasing 94%.
The heat pump lasts 20+ years and the ground loop components last 50+ years.
Lifespan
15 Years
Both Ground Source Heat Pumps and Air Source Heat Pumps require regular filter changes every 3-6 months. Because they are exposed to outside elements, Air Source Heat Pumps typically have shorter lifespans and require more regular upkeep.
Ground Source Heat Pumps are durable, long-lasting and predictably low-maintenance. The 20+ year lifespan of the Dandelion Ground Source Heat Pumps and 50+ year lifespan of the ground loops ensure reliable heating and cooling for decades to come.
See Why Homeowners Across the Northeast Love Dandelion
“We will never run out of fuel oil again and we no longer need to call around to get prices on oil delivery.”
Matt V.
Albany County
“Our indoor air quality has improved tremendously. I am so grateful to not smell burning oil when the furnace starts up.”
Sean D.
Dutchess County
“Each person I've been in contact with at Dandelion has been kind and attentive - their mission is clear at all times.”
Carolyn M.
Columbia County
“It’s a no-brainer, economically speaking and for the planet.”
Michael D.
Westchester County
“Couldn't be happier. Kids loved the AC this summer. Something we've never had before.”
Stefan C.
Sullivan County
“What I love most about the system is that it is a steady heat. My parents even commented that the house feels warmer when they came to visit.”
Kristan A.
Saratoga County, NY
“We paid nothing upfront and paid less our first year than we paid each year for oil.”
Scott S.
Saratoga County, NY
Heat and Cool Your Home with a Ground Source Heat Pump, the most energy efficient HVAC system.
