Homes all over the world can take advantage of geothermal energy. Whether you live in the far north or in more southerly climes, you can use this energy form to both warm and chill your living space. Unlike fossil fuels that emit greenhouse gases and are dwindling in supply, geothermal power is pollutant free, and the supply is inexhaustible.
People in the field like to say they don’t need to make heat, just move it. If you dig down eight feet or so anywhere on the planet, the earth will be in the fifty degree range. Whether the weather is a hundred degrees outside where you are now or if it is closer to zero, you can realize that the temperature just a few feet down isn’t far from what is considered ideal.
Nothing additional ever has to be used for cooling. Earth temperatures in themselves are sufficient for that. Some situations may call for a bit of extra heating. Geothermal will bring a house up into the fifty degree range. Wind and solar power only operate part of the time and their output will vary. Geothermal power is constant and always available.
The three main parts of geothermal devices use in the home are ground loop, heat pump, and heat distributor. Plastic piping is inserted into the ground forming the ground loop. Through the piping flows a mixture of anti-freeze and water. The heat pump takes out the warmth from this flow and sends it to a distribution unit which can be either a variant of radiant heating or forced air.
During warmer periods, the system can be run in reverse and used to cool. Heat is removed from the house in much the same fashion as in an air conditioner. Instead of evaporator coils, air coils are used to take heat from the air and transfer it to the liquid running through the pipes where it is emitted into the earth.
The simplest installations of this energy form take place during the home’s original construction. In already built houses, problems may occur is there is not enough room in a yard for the pipes. Special adaptations will need to be made, but systems can be designed to fit. The only danger to them comes from earthquakes. Otherwise, they need little maintenance and will probably last a considerable time.
Savings of 70% are likely in heating costs with geothermal systems. 50% or more will be had in cooling bills. The cost of heating water will be lowered by a third. No pollutants are connected to geothermal power. It is a clean and renewable form of energy.
The Ohio-based geothermal supply distributor, Geo-Hydro Supply, provides contractors and DIYers with quality geothermal products, like HDPE pipe fittings and polyethylene pipe insulation. With decades of experience in the geothermal installation field, they supply only the best, long-lasting geothermal supplies.
Posted in Renewable Energy.Tagged with air conditioning, construction, consumer information, DIY, energy, geothermal energy, heating, heating and air conditioning, home, home improvement, homeowners, Renewable Energy, science, technology.By Justin Whitmen – March 24, 2011