Geothermal energy is an attractive alternative to using traditional
fossil fuels for the generation of geothermal electricity. Less use of
coal, oil and gas means lowering the emissions of greenhouse gas into
the atmosphere, and hence can help fight global warming. In fact, the
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency both endorse
geothermal as one of the most efficient and environmentally-friendly way
to heat and cool your home. Due to favorable geothermal energy facts,
more households than ever are employing this source of energy for
lowering their electric bill and helping the environment.
As you
probably know, geothermal energy uses the natural heat flow inside the
earth for heating and cooling purposes. Geothermal heat pumps take heat
from underground, usually via a water/ethanol solution, and sends the
energy to the surface for use. A compressor heats the air further. For
cooling purposes, the opposite holds true and the heat is taken away.
The process uses a loop system underground. The typical geothermal
residential set-up is a horizontal, closed loop system. The loops can be
inserted in trenches or holes in the ground. Vertical systems are
usually used for larger, commercial buildings. Even ponds and lakes can
be used as sources of the energy. The heat is then distributed to the
home via existing or modified ductwork.
Even though the cost of
installation of a geothermal system is higher (sometimes 2 to 3 times)
than that of a traditional heating/cooling system, the geothermal energy
facts make sense...the investment usually pays off in only a few years;
the monthly savings can be pretty substantial with efficiencies of
50-70% higher than traditional heating & cooling; energy consumption
can drop by half; and some systems can save the homeowner up to 50% on
the water heating bill by preheating the tank water!
As an added
bonus, maintenance is easy... some systems can last generations with
little upkeep. Also, some manufacturing companies, utilities, and
lending institutions offer rebates and incentives for going with
geothermal heating cooling systems.
The environmental bonuses, in
additional to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, are the lowering of
ozone layer destruction - by using factory-sealed refrigeration systems.
Some
other geothermal energy facts: quiet; uniform temperatures in the house
(no "hot" and "cold" spots; infrastructure underground for the most
part - less likely to be damaged by storms, etc. Kids & pets less
likely to be injured; no flammable fuel or potentially dangerous storage
tanks.
Some geothermal energy facts when considering a heatpump for your home:
1)
Heat pumps are easy to install, but you need a professional. Once you
find a supplier, look for accredited installers through the
"International Ground Source Heat Pump Association" (IGSHPA). Also,
suppliers typically have an installer they work with or have references.
2)
The installer will determine the system that best meets your specific
needs, which will determine cost. Things they look at: age of home,
insulation, size of living area, location of home, and geology of the
area.
3) An installer will determine if existing ductwork is
sufficient to deliver the heating/cooling air. They will recommend if
modifications will be needed. Typically existing ductwork is sufficient.
For new construction, the mechanical air exchange and ductwork are
factors in determining the portion of the selling price of the house for
geothermal heating and cooling.
4) The heatpump is about the size of a traditional heating/cooling unit.
5) Safe...no exposed equipment outside (mostly 4-6' underground); no flammable solutions, no unsafe storage tanks.
6) Economically makes sense - rebates and/or special financing sometimes available
7)
Investment usually recouped in a few years (for example if your price
difference is $2,000 for a system and you save $700 in heating/cooling
bills per year, you'd have paid it off in under 3 years)
8) Only costs are electricity to operate the pump, compressor and fan, otherwise "free" energy!
9)
Example of savings: If converting from oil to geothermal, bill would
lower 70%; for propane to geothermal, bill would typically lower 80%!
10)
The three parts to a typical system: heat pump unit; liquid heat
exchange medium (i.e., loop underground); and air-delivery system (i.e.,
ductwork)
11) Final point...geothermal heat pumps don't use large amounts of electricity (your electric utility can determine your needs)
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