What is Geothermal Energy

What is geothermal energy and where does it come form? The short answer is that it is a renewable energy source that comes from the earth.

Geohermal energy can be used to heat and cool your home.

The word geothermal is derived from the Greek geo which means earth and therine which means heat. Thus geothermal is heat produced by the earth and is a natural source of energy. Commercial power companies looking for alternative energy sources tap into geothermal systems which flow near the earth's surface. A good example of such a system is the geysers in Yellowstone National Park. Unfortunately, geothermal systems such as these are geologically localized. If you don't happen to live in California, Montana, Wyoming or such places where geothermal systems are located, does this mean geothermal energy is out of the question for you? The answer is no! You can harness the earth's temperature to help heat and cool your home no matter where you live.

Believe it or not, heating your home with geothermal energy is not new. People have used this technology since just after WWII. Renewed interest in green living has more people than ever asking what is geothermal energy and once they learn more about it, they're asking which type of ground source heat pump is best suited to their needs. Ground source heat pumps tap into the geothermal energy the earth has to offer. These heat pump models include four basic types of ground loop systems that not only heat your home but are also able to cool it. Options for a desuperheater are also available to equip your home with an energy efficient hot water supply.

Ground source heat pumps tap into the earth's temperature to provide heat for your home or business. The earth works as a solar collector, and a ground source heat pump taps into that energy to heat and cool your home. This is the geothermal energy everyday people can tap into. The type of heat pump you install will depend on the land you have available along with the type of soil and rock found at the site where you plan to install it. These factors play a role because all of these geothermal systems are buried beneath the earth's surface. Determining the type of soil and rock equips you to know which type of heat pump will be the most economical choice to install.

• Closed loop systems - Water or antifreeze circulate through plastic pipes. Fluids collect the earth's heat in the winter which the system transfers into your home. In the summer months, the system reverses the process and pulls heat from your home, and puts it into the earth. An added benefit is that the closed loop system produces free hot water in the summer and will help save money on producing hot water in the winter.

• Open loop systems – The principle behind these systems is much the same as the closed loop system except that it can only be installed where adequate water and open discharge is possible. Fresh water is taken from a nearby lake or well and circulated through the ground source heat pump. The water extracts heat from the earth during in winter. Before you decide to install this type of pump check government regulations because it may affect groundwater temperature and in some places regulations will prohibit this.

The Horizontal system is commonly the most cost-effective choice for residential needs. Installation depends on trenches that must be four feet deep or more.

In comparison, the vertical ground loop system is more often used for larger commercial buildings, schools and buildings which own enough land to install vertical loops. This system requires holes about four inches in diameter to be drilled every 20 feet to a depth of 100-400 feet. Two pipes are inserted into these holes and connected at the bottom where they form a U bend. These pipes are connected to a horizontal pipe which connects to the heat pump.

Geothermal heat pumps offer a number of benefits and one of the first you'll notice is how quiet they are. The reasons most people install them, though, is that they are good for the environment and good for the wallet. While these heat pumps can seem costly upon installation, you'll see long-terms savings on energy bills. Not only will you save on money spent to the utility companies, but the system itself will last longer that most standard heating systems and it will require less maintenance. It's a win-win energy investment.

Homeowners who install geothermal heat pump systems in 2009 and beyond can receive a 30 percent tax credit. If you installed your system in 2008, a $2,000 limit applies. The following links provide more resources to stay up-to-date on tax credits and rebates related to geothermal heat.

• Geothermal Energy Incentives
• Energy Star
• State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency

• Ways to Prevent Global Warming
• 50 Specific Actions of Green Living
• Examples of Sustainable Development

• United States Recycling Statistics
• Types of Pollution
• Air Pollution Statistics
• Effects of Water Pollution
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels

• Bad Things About Geothermal Heat Pumps
• Geothermal Heat Pump
• Cost of Geothermal System
• Disadvantages About Geothermal Energy
• How Does Geothermal Energy Work