Whether you’re building a new house or replacing your existing heating and cooling system, you should consider the benefits of Palmetto Electric’s Buried Treasure program.

Buried Treasure Ground source heat pumps are high-efficiency heating and cooling units. Palmetto Electric Cooperative’s Buried Treasure program can help you with the purchase and installation of ground source heat pumps.

Why does Palmetto provide hundreds of dollars in rebates to members who install ground source heat pumps? Because the energy-efficient units help keep demand for electricity down during peak usage periods. And that helps keep your rates competitive.

To help you finance this wise energy investment, Palmetto Electric is offering Buried Treasure rebates. Rebates of $200 per ton (up to $1,000 per household) are available and are offered to cooperative members who install qualified systems.

How To Cash In On Buried Treasure

  • Contact your local Palmetto Electric office and ask to speak to a Marketing Representative. Palmetto Electric will help you determine the best ground source heating and cooling option and system size for your home.

  • Contact a licensed heat pump contractor to install your ground source heat pump. Your heat pump must meet all local codes and must meet Palmetto Electric’s recommendations and installation requirements.

  • Complete the Buried Treasure Rebate Form with your heat pump contractor and return it to Palmetto Electric prior to the installation of your new system.

  • Notify Palmetto Electric after the ground source unit is installed. We will then arrange a final inspection of your system.

  • Cash the rebate check we send you and enjoy the benefits of Buried Treasure for years to come!

Ground source heat pumps operate very much like a conventional heat pump, but with one important difference. Conventional heat pumps transfer heat between your home and the outside air, while ground source heat pumps transfer heat between your home and ordinary tap water in sealed, underground pipes.

Because the underground temperature remains a fairly constant 67°, the ground source heat pump can use the earth’s temperature to keep your home comfortable – without generating heat or expending significant energy cooling your home.

During the winter, the ground source heat pump extracts heat from the ground and transfers warm air to your home. During the summer, heat is extracted from your house and transferred to the ground. The resulting cool air is then blown into your home. Since the temperature of the ground remains fairly constant throughout the year, ground source heat pumps are able to transfer heat using a relatively low amount of energy. And that saves you money.

There are two types of ground source heat pumps – open well and closed-loop systems.* Open well systems pump water from a supply well through the heat pump and return it to the same aquifer once the heat is transferred. A closed-loop system uses a series of vertical and/or horizontal pipes buried in the ground. Water is circulated through the hundreds of feet of underground pipes.

In some locations of the Palmetto Electric Cooperative service area, restrictions may apply to the installation of either of these systems.

The ground source heat pump has several advantages over other systems. The ground source heat pump is 20% – 30% more efficient than other units. The ground source heat pump transfers heat underground, so the unit is out of sight, rather than situated outside your home. The wiring costs are often less because these units – used for both heating and cooling – have no heat strips. The fact that the unit is not exposed to the elements will also prolong its life and reduce repair frequency and costs. And since there is no need for an outdoor compressor or fan, the ground source heat pump is quieter than other systems.