=(DEAS Discovering Energy Savings In Your Own Backyard (NAPSA)—Economic uncertainty and the increase in energy costs have many homeownersdigging deep in their pockets, searching for waysto pay the increasedcosts ofheating and cooling their homes. A geothermal home comfort sys- tem taps into the abundant source of free solar heat energy stored in the Earth and uses a series of pipes below ground—called a ground loop—to movethat heat into a home during the winter and remove it during the summer. According to experts at WaterFurnace International, Inc., most systems are easy to install in both new andretrofit situations. Although the initial investment in a geothermal system may be greater than the investment in an ordinary system, the long-term return could make it more worthwhile. The energy source is free and renewable, and the average system life span exceeds 24 years—compared to 15 years for an ordinary system. During that extended life span, the system can provide many additional benefits to homeowners, including: Efficiency ratings up to five times higher than those of ordi- nary heating and cooling systems; Savings on utility bills up to 70 percent; e A reduced carbon footprint, since the system burns no fossil fuels; Looking for energy savings? Discover them in your own backyard with geothermal. Additionally, homeowners who install a geothermal system before Dec. 31, 2016 are eligible for a federal renewable energy tax credit of 30 percent of the total investment for the system. Utility rebates and state tax incentives may be offered as well. Supporters of geothermal technology point out that it could be a homegrownsolution to the energy andfinancial crises. They argue that an increase in the number of geothermal systems installed in the U.S. reduces dependence on foreign oil, More even distribution of encourages energy production at home and creates employment opportunities for those associ- no open flameor fuel storage tanks; systems. For more information, visit www.waterfurnace.com or call heating and cooling; Improved indoor air quality and quiet operation; Safe operation that requires e Less maintenance. ated with the manufacture and installation of geothermal (800) GEO-SAVE.
