ENDLESS ENERGY DESIGN

Learn All About Geothermal Energy & Other Alternative Energy Technologies

What is Geothermal Energy?

Geothermal Energy is heat produced from within the earth. Temperatures below ground are relatively constant and stable. At approximately 4-8 feet below ground, the earth stays a constant 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.

This reliable heat source is a form of renewable energy because it is constantly being produced inside the earth. By recovering this heat as steam or hot water and using it to heat buildings or generate electricity, we can utilize an untapped source of green energy.

What is ground source heating & cooling and how does it work?

Ground source heating and cooling is also known as geothermal heating and cooling. These terms are used alternately in the HVAC industry. Both names let you know that you are using the ground to heat and cool your home. This type of HVAC has nothing to do with geothermal hot water like you see at Yellow Stone Park. Ground source heating and cooling is simply drawing on the earth’s constant temperature to heat and cool your home.

Keith Johnson Geothermal Video

A geothermal heating and cooling system works differently than other systems. Unlike conventional systems, ground source heating and cooling systems do not use a fuel, electric heating elements, or the outside air to produce heat, but use the temperature of the ground. The heat is exchanged or transferred to and from water or an antifreeze solution. In a closed loop system water is circulated through polyethylene pipes in the ground or body of water where the heat exchange happens.

An open loop or ‘pump and dump’ system uses well water that also has a constant temperature and circulates this water through your unit in your home to accomplish the heat energy transfer. This process is reversed in the summer for air conditioning by extracting heat from the home and circulating it to the ground or well water.

It is the most efficient and environmentally friendly home heating and cooling method available. For every one unit of electricity, you get 3 to 5 units of heat or 300% to 500% efficiency. With a gas furnace, for every one unit of fuel, you get .8 to .96 units of heat or 80% to 96% efficiency. As an added benefit, a ground source system can provide up to 70% of your hot water free by sending excess heat to your water heater.

There are great federal tax credits for geothermal heating and cooling systems. They are the same as that for any renewable energy system. This credit reduces the total cost by 30%. Some locations have state tax credits and utility company rebates that make this incredibly efficient, heating and cooling method more cost effective.

LEARN ABOUT GEOTHERMAL ENERGY HERE