JBN Mechanical - State College's Trusted, Local HVAC Expert
State College Geothermal Replacements and Installations
Vertical closed loop wells and Climatemaster geothermal systems saved these clients 40% on their energy bills!
A deep vertical well with our HDPE piping installed
GEOTHERMAL
Highest Efficiency Available — 26 SEER / 4.9 COP
Climatemaster TEV Variable Speed Geothermal Heat Pump
26 SEER / 4.9 COP
Replace your old geothermal unit with a state of the art system reusing your existing well.
Loop Header installed inside the home
for easy servicing
Climatemaster TEV Geothermal Unit installed with Hot Water Generator - That's right, we can make hot water from a Geo too!
Geothermal Heat Pump Installation - State College & Centre County
Geothermal heating and cooling is the most efficient HVAC technology available — and it works exceptionally well in Central Pennsylvania's climate. When it's done right by someone who knows the equipment and the local geology, the results are dramatic: lower energy bills, quieter operation, and a system that can last 20 years or more.
My name is John Mason. I've been installing and servicing geothermal systems right here in Centre County for over 20 years. I'm an authorized ClimateMaster dealer — one of the few in this area — and geothermal is not a sideline for me. It's what I do.
Whether you're looking at a brand-new installation, replacing an aging unit on an existing loop or well, or inheriting a system from a previous owner that needs attention, call me directly at (814) 240-2455.
Replacement vs. New Installation
The majority of geothermal work I do in Centre County is replacing an aging unit on an existing well or loop — not drilling new wells. If you have a geothermal system that's 15 to 25 years old, there's a good chance the ground loop is still in excellent condition. HDPE pipe installed underground lasts virtually forever. What wears out is the mechanical unit inside your home.
In those cases we disconnect the old unit, install a new ClimateMaster variable-speed system, connect to your existing loop or well, and commission the system — usually in one to two days. No drilling, no excavation, no disruption to your yard.
For new installations where no loop exists, I work with licensed drillers I trust for the well work and handle all the mechanical installation and commissioning myself. A typical new vertical closed-loop installation takes three to five days total, staged between the drilling crew and my mechanical work.
Either way, the first step is a free site evaluation. I'll look at your existing system or your property, tell you exactly what you're working with, and give you a straight answer on what it will cost.
Geothermal vs. Heat Pumps vs. Gas
The right choice depends on your home, your existing system, and your fuel costs. Here's how it typically pencils out for Centre County homeowners at current utility rates.
Replacing a gas furnace with geothermal: At current Columbia Gas delivered rates and West Penn Power electric rates, a well-installed geothermal system in a typical Centre County home saves $600–$1,000 per year compared to a 96% AFUE gas furnace. The gap widens as gas rates increase — and they have been increasing steadily.
Replacing oil or propane with geothermal: The savings are more significant. Propane at current prices versus geothermal electricity typically produces $1,200–$1,800 per year in savings on a typical Centre County home. Payback on a replacement system in this scenario is often six to eight years.
Geothermal vs. air-source heat pump: An air-source heat pump costs less to install and still saves money versus gas or propane. The tradeoff is cold-weather performance. When it's 10°F outside, a geothermal system is still running at 4.0+ COP. An air-source system is working significantly harder and less efficiently. Geothermal also lasts 25 years or more versus 15–18 for a typical air-source unit. Air-source wins on upfront cost. Geothermal wins on long-term operating cost and system life.
I can run a customized comparison for your specific home, existing system, and current utility costs. Just call or text.
What Does Geothermal Cost in Centre County
Every installation is different, but here are honest ballpark figures for our market. You'll see lower numbers advertised online — they rarely reflect total installed cost in Central Pennsylvania.
Replacement on existing loop or well: $12,000–$18,000 depending on unit size, existing equipment condition, and any ductwork modifications needed. This is the most common scenario and the best value in geothermal.
New installation with vertical closed-loop drilling: $20,000–$32,000 total. Drilling typically runs $8,000–$14,000 for a residential system depending on depth and number of boreholes required.
New installation with open-loop (pump and dump): $15,000–$22,000 in most cases, assuming a suitable existing well is available.
One option worth knowing about: if you have an existing geothermal system, adding a hot water generator (desuperheater) to a new ClimateMaster unit captures waste heat from the refrigerant cycle and uses it to preheat your domestic hot water at essentially no operating cost. Over a heating season this can provide 50–70% of your hot water for free. It adds modest cost to the installation and pays back quickly.
Call or text John directly at (814) 240-2455 for a free site evaluation and straight answers on what your specific project will cost.
