How it works
Imagine a renewable, clean, efficient, and readily accessible energy source. Impossible? How about the ground beneath your feet?
Energy in the ground is actually stored energy from the sun. At six feet below the surface, the earth's temperature is a constant 10 to 15 Degrees C (40-60 Degrees F) all year round, and that means you have a steady heat source, even in the coldest winter.
In the winter, heat is extracted from the earth and in the summer the process is reversed - heat is extracted from the house and deposited in the ground with equal efficiency, using the same equipment.
A geothermal system is highly efficient, self-contained and produces no carbon emissions. The system consists of a geothermal unit installed in your house and a series of flexible connecting pipes buried in the ground.
A highly heat-conductive ethanol solution is circulated through the pipes (also called “loops”), absorbing heat from the ground (or nearby water source such as a pond or river) and returning it to the house or commercial building. Inside, the heat is transferred to warm air and circulated through standard air ducts or in-floor lines.
In the summer, the process reverses. Heat is taken from the house and transferred to the ground. Pipes return cooler fluid to the house or commercial building for efficient use as summer air conditioning.
