A Rising Star Among Alternative-Energy Sources
Geothermal systems are becoming more popular all the time, as they are a very green method for providing heating and cooling for homes, since they draw upon a renewable natural resource, ground water, to work. Not only are they environmentally safe, they are also highly efficient and economical, much more so than oil, gas, or electricity. Even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has stated that geothermal systems, using heat pumps and loops of pipe placed in the ground, are the most environmentally clean, energy efficient and cost effective heating and cooling systems available.
About Geothermal Heating & Cooling
Geothermal systems use ground-source heat pumps to take advantage of the natural heat storage capabilities of the earth and ground water to provide energy for heating and cooling homes. As the temperature of the earth and the ground water is relatively constant at the depth of several or more feet where the conducting pipes are laid, this makes for a more energy efficient system. Heat, or excess energy, is not lost to the air, as in air-source heat pumps. Heat is drawn from, or released to, the earth, and the heat transfer is far more effective since the temperature below-ground remains more moderate and even year-round.
The Geothermal Heat Pump
Geothermal heat pumps work by drawing heat energy from the ground and groundwater. What makes this possible is that water stores more energy because of a higher specific heat, that is, the amount necessary to raise the temperature of any weight of any substance by 1 degree Fahrenheit. It takes more energy to increase the temperature of water than of other liquid substances, so when the temperature of the water is decreased by 1 degree, more heat energy is released. The geothermal heat pump is able to capture and transfer this heat from ground water to the home in winter for heating, and is able to reverse the process for cooling in the summer. Geothermal Heat Pumps and complete geothermal heating cooling systems are typically installed by a geothermal plumber or a heating and cooling contractor that offers geothermal installation, maintenance and repair services.
As it is explained in various information sources, the heat pump acts like a reversible refrigerator in that manner. The heat goes into the home from the groundwater in the winter, but from the home into the ground in the summer. There is a liquid refrigerant flowing through the heat pump, absorbing heat energy. This refrigerant, or antifreeze solution, evaporates to a gas at low temperatures and pressures. When the gas goes through a compressor, its temperature is raised to about 160 degrees. The heated gas then passes through a heat exchanger next where the heat is removed and sent into the home. The cooled refrigerant reverts to a liquid and renews the process again. The process works oppositely in the summer, with the refrigerant absorbing heat from the home and transferring it to ground water through the heat pump. So, as one can see, the geothermal heat pump is very efficient, acting as both a heating and a cooling system in one compact unit! A flip of the switch on an indoor thermostat is all it takes to change the process from heating to cooling and vice versa.
Find out more about Geothermal Heating Cooling.
Geothermal Basics
While the actual geothermal technology is much more complex as you'll read throughout this site; here's a very basic rundown on Geothermal Heating and Geothermal Cooling.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal Energy is the heat and engery stored within the earth's surface. Geothermal Power is the process of extracting this clean, renewable energy.
Geothermal Heating
With Geothermal Heating, a geothermal heating system is used to pump warm air through a home or building, while cool air is extracted from the home or building.
Geothermal Cooling
Geothermal Cooling is just the reverse of geothermal heating. Cool air is pumped through a home or buidling, while the warm air is extracted.
Geothermal Systems and the Energy Tax Credit
Another way in which installing a geothermal system could be profitable for home owners is through energy tax credits. Families who install these units can receive federal tax incentives, by means of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which offers a one time tax credit of up to 30% for residential ground loop or groundwater geothermal systems. In order to receive the tax credit, the Geothermal Heat Pump must meet or exceed Energy Star requirements. To receive the Tax Credit download and fill out IRS Tax Form 5695, titled Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit.
Home Builders and Commercial Buildings can qualify for Tax Deductions through certain heating and cooling upgrades as wells.