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Over the past few decades, people have shown a stronger interest in green energy. At first, people waited for governments to take the lead. When they failed to do so quickly enough, private enterprises stepped in to provide infrastructure and push green technology, such as solar.

This then allowed more consumers to step into the green energy market and take initiative themselves. Still, one type of green energy many people don’t discuss often enough is geothermal. Here’s what you need to know about it.

What Is Geothermal Energy?

Geothermal may sound like new technology, but it’s actually been around for several years. The process behind it is also fairly simple. There is natural heat beneath the earth’s surface. Geothermal technology allows homeowners to access this to regulate temperatures in their houses. Most people believe geothermal heat pumps only provide heat, but it can cool your home as well.

What Are the Benefits?

For people who are concerned about reducing their carbon footprint, this is an excellent way to achieve that goal. It provides clean and renewable energy with little effect on the natural environment beyond the initial drilling process. Geothermal energy creates less carbon dioxide emissions than natural gas plants — roughly one-sixth.

Geothermal also helps to fill the gaps left by solar energy. The cost of installation for a solar energy system that can heat and cool a home can be expensive. Air conditioning units use a lot of energy. Now, you can use a smaller solar installation for the rest of your needs while relying on geothermal for heating and cooling.

How Long Does It Take?

One of the biggest concerns homeowners often have is how long it will take to install the system. After all, drilling into the earth sounds like a fair bit of work. It takes roughly two days, depending on weather conditions and soil type.

Contact Chesapeake Geosystems

Chesapeake Geosystems provides geothermal HVAC systems for residences in the Maryland and D.C. area. Call 410-489-1712 or email us today for more information.

If you are thinking about installing a geothermal HVAC system, you probably already know many of the benefits. What you may not realize is that there are also tax benefits to the installation. If you want the best savings possible, in terms of tax credits, you will want to install your system as soon as possible. Here is what you need to know about the benefits.

What Is the Energy Credit?

An energy credit is a 30% credit that was reinstated through 2019. You can apply it retroactively to any installation after January 2017. This tax will decrease in percentage over the next few years. Through 2019, it is 30% of your total costs, in 2020, it will be 26% and in 2021, it will be 22%.

What Is Eligible for the Credit?

If your geothermal equipment meets the Energy Star requirements and uses stored energy from the ground, then it is eligible for a tax credit. You can cover the expenses of labor, preparation, and installation. If you have more than one property and system, you can claim more than one. Now, you cannot claim the credit if you spend it on equipment used for hot tubs or pools. You also cannot claim it on rental homes.

How Do You Claim the Credit?

In order to claim the credit, you would have to use IRS Form 5695. You can use this tax credit to offset regular income taxes and alternative minimum taxes. If your tax credit exceeds the tax liability, then you can carry the excess amount for future years.

When it comes to a geothermal HVAC system, you not only have a more energy-efficient cooling and heating system but also you can claim tax credits. To install or repair your geothermal HVAC to take advantage of tax savings, contact Chesapeake Geosystems by calling 410-489-1712 or emailing us today to learn more!

What Is Soft Water?

When there is a low concentration of ions, particularly magnesium and calcium, in the water, it is known as soft water. Where you live depends on what water ends up classified as soft. In the US, water with 60 mg/l of calcium carbonate is considered soft.

Soft water lacks minerals, making it unsuitable for consuming, however this lack of minerals can be beneficial in other ways. Soft water cleans better without leaving behind the residue found in hard water, and the same goes for your skin. Soft water is better on your skin, leaving it cleaner and softer.

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water is simply water with high mineral content. Hard water forms when water percolates through limestone and chalk deposits. Due to the high mineral content, drinking hard water can have health benefits such as combating, and even preventing, heart disease. Hard water picks up minerals in natural waterways.

Hard water can also have negative effects. For instance, hard water may leave clothes looking dingy, your dishes with spots, and may even dry out your skin. Due to the residue left behind by hard water, it will often decrease the lifespan of your appliances, such as a dishwasher and washing machine. Hard water also uses up more energy, negatively affecting the environment as well as your energy bill.

What Is the Difference?

The main difference is the mineral content. Rainwater is soft water, whereas hard water is water that goes through waterways and picks up minerals. They both have their own sets of pros and cons, for example, hard water is great for drinking and certain disease prevention, but not so great for household cleaning or keeping your skin soft. Soft water may be better for keeping your skin soft and your dishes clean, but when it comes to drinking it, it can lead to several health issues.

Understanding the difference between hard water and soft water can help you make decisions for your own home. To learn more about the two types, and what you can do about the water in your home, contact Chesapeake Geosystems. Call 410-489-1712 or email us today

Central air conditioners can be costly to run and repair. A sudden air conditioner breakdown can be particularly frustrating in the middle of summer. Learn how you can enjoy cool, affordable, and reliable climate control by using geothermal cooling.

What Is Geothermal?

Geothermal heat is the earth’s natural warmth. Below ground, the temperature remains constant regardless of the air temperature. A geothermal cooling unit works by taking advantage of this consistent temperature to cool or heat your home.

Geothermal Cooling Units

A professional geothermal cooling unit can offer you the cool indoor temperatures you need without excessive utility bills. They work by running a mixture of water and antifreeze through pipes buried as deep as 10 feet in the ground. These pipes circulate water from below ground to the surface, thereby creating a consistent water temperature.

In the summer, this temperature is significantly cooler than the air temperature. A refrigerant coil, blower fan, and ventilation system take advantage of the cool temperatures to affordably circulate comfortably cool air throughout your building.

Geothermal Cooling Advantages

While ductless air conditioners are growing in popularity in homes around the area, these systems take the current air temperature and either cool or heat the air. In many cases, this is far less efficient than a geothermal unit.

Geothermal units utilize the constant temperatures beneath the ground, so you’ll enjoy a more energy-efficient system when faced with extreme temperatures in the summer and winter. This environmentally friendly system is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an affordable alternative to cool down.

Receive a Quote Today

Don’t wait to enjoy the advantages of a geothermal cooling unit today. Contact Chesapeake Geosystems today to receive a quote and schedule an installation service. Enjoy prompt and professional service as you install, use, and maintain your new heating and cooling alternative. Save money and enjoy years of cool, comfortable temperatures by calling 410-489-1712 or emailing us today!

As a property manager, it’s your job to make sure costs are kept at a minimum. Have you thought about installing a geothermal or solar energy system? Are you confused about the difference between the two? Don’t be! Solar energy and geothermal energy systems are completely different and actually work well when implemented together. The following breaks it down.

From the Sun or the Earth

Most people know that solar energy comes from the sun. Each day when the sun is shining, solar panels soak up the energy that is used to power a building. The power can be used for anything that a building would typically need electrical power to run.

In contrast, geothermal energy comes from the earth. If you were to go outside and dig a hole about six feet deep, you’d find soil that sits at 50 degrees year-round. A geothermal system uses that steady temperature to send heat into the building during winter months. In the same way, hot air is sent back down to the earth to keep the building cool during summer.

How the Two Work Together

As you can see, geothermal and solar energy systems do not exactly perform the same function. They do both provide a less expensive form of energy but in two different ways. That’s why they’re great when implemented together.

Geothermal energy does require a small amount of electricity. With a solar energy system installed, that power doesn’t have to come from the electric company. Instead, it can come right from the solar panels on your building. Together, the carbon footprint that your building would normally make could become eliminated altogether.

Getting Started With Your System

Saving the environment takes the dedication of everyone on the planet. Do your part by implementing alternative energy systems that work. To learn more about geothermal energy and how a system can work together with a solar energy system, contact Chesapeake Geosystems today by calling 410-489-1712 or sending an email and speak with a professional.

Many property owners have recently taken interest in the trend of geothermal heating systems. It’s a technology that works similarly to traditional home heat pumps but depends on temperature differences deep underground rather than in the outside air. By drawing stored solar energy from the earth, geothermal systems are able to provide indoor comfort with noticeable savings and better efficiency.

Basic Benefits

When evaluating whether geothermal heating is for you, it’s smart to start with the basics. Consider these perks offered by this HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) alternative:

• Elemental protection: Geothermal units are situated within the property, avoiding the need for outdoor air conditioning compressors that are generally exposed to harsh elements.

• Constant performance: This technology remains active at all times; common HVAC systems usually cycle on and off in an attempt to regulate indoor temperatures.

• Greater consistency: Typical HVAC systems can deliver temperature fluctuations, or allow the formation of unwanted hot or cold spots.

Efficiency Examined

There are notable advantages offered by geothermal energy in terms of performance. For starters, they’re expected to function for up to 25 years—considerably longer than the approximate 10-year lifespan of common HVAC systems. Maintenance is often as minor as a simple filter change every 12 months.

These systems rely exclusively on a renewable energy source and thus are often subject to tax credits that can save you money on installation. Monthly operating costs are generally much lower than older-fashioned technologies and tend to remain more consistent over the long haul. It all makes sense, then, that the Environmental Protection Agency has designated geothermal heating as an ideal green-friendly HVAC alternative.

Make the Change

When you’re ready to make the switch to a cleaner, more affordable method of heating your property, Chesapeake Geosystems is ready to deliver results. Their experience and reputation are well established, with over 30 years serving the greater Maryland and Washington, D.C. areas. Reach out today by calling 410-489-1712 or sending an email to and get started on a more comfortable, energy-efficient home for your family.