Geothermal

Geothermal heat pumps are used to heat and cool a building as well as water heating by using the renewable energy of the sun stored just below the surface of the earth.

It is sometimes referred to as a geoexchange, a ground source heat pump, a water source heat pump, green heat, or earth energy systems. No matter what you call it, geothermal systems are the best choice you can make for both your pocketbook and your planet. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said they are, "the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available today."

The technology uses the stored solar energy beneath the surface of earth as it remains at a relatively constant temperature throughout the year, warmer than the air above it during the winter and cooler in the summer. The geothermal heat pump takes advantage of this by transferring heat stored in the Earth or in ground water into a building during the winter, and transferring it out of the building and back into the ground during the summer. The ground, in other words, acts as a heat source in winter and a heat sink in summer.

The only energy these systems require is a relatively small amount of electricity to run the compression cycle of the heat pump and to move the warm or cool air throughout the building, which means consumers can save 25 to 50+ percent, compared to traditional heating and cooling systems.

Geothermal heat pump systems use 4 basic ground loop configurations to turn backyards into a source of energy. Designs are chosen to suit the situation, depending on factors such as soils, groundwater availability and size of the yard.

• Geothermal is a prudent investment for owners who want a high level of comfort and low monthly energy bills for as long as they own their homes.
  
  
• The cost "savings" of a geothermal system can be significant and the return on investment and payback is easy to compute.
  
  
• Geothermal systems have advantages over conventional heating and cooling systems and provide the same or greater levels of comfort.
  
  
• Geothermal systems are practical alternatives for any homeowner thinking about replacing or upgrading their heating and air conditioning system.

• Geothermal systems harness the renewable earth energy source, and use it for heating, air conditioning and in some cases hot water.
  
  
• The Earth absorbs almost 50% of all solar energy which can be used as a heat source. Below the frost line, the underground temperature stays relatively constant all year.
  
  
• Up to 70 percent of the energy used in a geothermal system is renewable energy from the ground.
  
  
• Geothermal systems are environmentally friendly. An average single detached home can reduce greenhouse emissions by 4 – 10 tonnes annually.