Geothermal systems capitalize on the solar energy stored year-round just beneath the earth’s surface. This free geothermal energy is an unlimited, renewable resource. The lot surrounding a typical suburban home contains 10 times more energy than is required over an entire heating season. And this resource is constantly replenished by the sun, the surrounding earth and heat rejected while the geothermal system is cooling in the summer.
The Department of Energy and the EPA recognize geothermal systems as the most environmentally friendly, cost effective and energy efficient heating and cooling technology available.
Geothermal heat pumps help electric utilities achieve significant reductions in their peak demand loads. By reducing the demand on electric utilities, the need for new power plants is reduced along with a reduced need for natural resources like coal or gas used to generate electricity. These systems also minimize the threats of acid rain, air pollution, the greenhouse effect and global warming – problems directly linked to the burning of fossil fuels.
Benefits of Geothermal Technology
Energy Efficient:
Geothermal systems can deliver four units of energy for every unit of electrical energy used. Compare that to even the best ordinary system that delivers less than one unit of energy for every unit it consumes. That translates into an efficiency rating of 400 percent, compared to the most efficient gas furnace, which rates around 94 percent.
Cost Effective:
Because of the extraordinary efficiency of geothermal systems, any added investment related to installing a geothermal unit is usually more than offset by your energy savings. In new homes, most homeowners will experience an immediate postive return on their investment when the system cost is added to the mortgage. In replacement installations, homeowners find that any added investment over the cost of an ordinary system is generally recovered in energy savings within a few years.
Comfortable:
Capturing the relatively stable temperature of the Earth to heat and cool your home, geothermal systems provide consistent, comfortable heating and cooling. You can even regulate temperatures in different area areas of your home.
Quiet:
Geothermal systems don’t require noisy outdoor units that can disturb your peaceful surroundings or create unsightly additions to your home’s appearance.
Safe:
Because natural gas, propane or oil are not required to operate a geothermal unit, there’s no combustion, flames or fumes and no chance of carbon-monoxide poisoning.
Clean:
High-efficiency air cleaners used with geothermal systems keep your indoor air quality clean, removing dust and pollen so you can breathe easier.
Environmentally Friendly:
The ground absorbs about 47 percent of the sun’s energy that reaches the Earth. Geothermal systems harness that free, renewable energy and provide an environmentally friendly way to heat and cool your home. Installing a geothermal system is the equivalent of planting 750 trees or removing two cars from the road. And geothermal systems don’t burn fossil fuels, which means no emissions or harmful greenhouse gasses are released into the air.
Source: WaterFurnace
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