Geothermal Systems Revolutionize Home Climate Control

Millions of Americans have installed solar panels for a clean source of energy with a lower monthly electric bill. 

Some people are turning to a new way to heat and cool their home. 

The next step in eco-friendly energy could look like long pipes being drilled into the ground will help heat and cool a home using geothermal energy. 

The process takes advantage of temperatures underground which tend to stay around 55 degrees year-round. 

In the winter fluid is sent through the warm ground, then enters a pump that heats it even more and distributes hot air into the house.

"The goal is to take advantage of the fact that the soil has a lot of heat capacity, a lot of availability of heat," said Forrest Meggers with Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University.

In the summer hot air is pulled out of the home and sent through the ground to cool.  

Residential geothermal makes up 1% of the U.S. heating and cooling market. But now there are new incentives.

Kathy Hunnan is the Co-Founder of the company Geothermal Dandelion and says, like solar, the government is offering tax breaks

"On the federal level, we have the investment tax credit, where the federal government just pays for 30% of the system," said Hunnan.

That would mean a homeowner buying a $30,000 system would pay $21,000. 

Many states have their own tax credits, which can bring the price down even more.

Homeowners using geothermal energy can save anywhere from 30% to 70% on heating and cooling costs depending on where they live. 

People in places with cold winters and hot summers see the largest benefit.