Heat from the Earth

Geothermal power (from the Greek roots geo, meaning earth, and thermos, meaning heat) is power extracted from heat stored in the earth.  As we all know temperatures on the earth’s surface can vary greatly but did you know that approximately10 feet below the surface the temperature is relatively constant at 50 to 60 degrees.  That is amazing. 

One of the most environmentally friendly, extremely energy efficient and cost-effective systems for temperature control are a geothermal heat pump.   These pumps help extract heat from the below the surface and use to help cool and heat your home.  I ran across this video http://www.geoexchange.org/index.php?option=com_hwdvideoshare&task=viewvideo&Itemid=243&video_id=2 from the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium that explains how a geothermal system works.  Check it out, very helpful.

As of December 1, 2009 homeowners who install geothermal heat pumps with the ENERGY STAR are eligible for upto a 30 percent federal tax credit.

Tags: , , , ,