Geothermal energy is one of the most efficient renewable energy sources available. While solar and wind power continue to gain popularity for home energy tapping into geothermal resources is also becoming readily accessible too.
So, just how does geothermal energy work? Essentially geothermal energy harnesses the heat contained within the earth itself. If this heat were ever to cool to a point where it was unusable, our planet would be too cold to sustain life. In today’s energy world there are two main ways that we harness this geo thermal energy.
The first method is with a large geothermal power plant. These usually huge plants tap into heat sources at various depths below the earth’s surface. You will find many geothermal plants built where natural hot springs (geothermal sources) abound. A geothermal plant converts the earth’s heat into power which is then usually supplied out to households. The process itself in simple terms uses a heating and cooling system to control the energy.
On a less grand scale home geothermal heating and cooling systems are becoming readily available too. These systems use the ground heat of the upper 10 feet of the earth’s surface. The earth generally maintains a temperature range of between 10-16 degrees Celsius (50-60 F). A geothermal system consists of three main parts: the ground source heat pump, a heat exchanger, and an air delivery system. They work together to create a highly efficient heating and cooling system for the home. In winter the heat pump takes in the earth’s warmth and in summer removes it from the home back through the exchanger and into the earth. A geothermal system also uses less energy than nearly any other method. Geothermal heat pumps are not as expensive to install as you might think either.
If you are interested in finding out more about using ground source geothermal energy the geothermal heat pump consortium has a huge list of resources available. They have an online forum; can put you in touch with professional advisors, distributors and suppliers in your area. Geothermal energy may be just right for you and your home.
