 Fuel
costs continue to climb and more people than ever before are looking at
alternative sources for home heating. Fossil fuels not only contribute
to global warming but the supply is limited and demand controls pricing
as everyone is now learning.As an alternative, one of the most recent developments is in the area of geothermal or calling on the earth to provide the energy that is stored from the sun. At six feet below the ground's surface, the temperature of the earth remains constant at 10 to 15 degrees Celsius and geothermal taps into this energy source.
Geothermal Unit Looks Compact and Efficient
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(continued) In the winter, heat is extracted from the ground via a highly efficient, self-contained system that produces no carbon emissions. The heat is transferred into the home through a series of pipes that are buried underground on the homeowner's property. In the summer, the process is reversed with heat extracted from the house and deposited in the ground. The system consists of a
geothermal unit, that like a furnace can be situated in the basement.
This is connected to a ground loop that is buried in the ground. As
water circulates through the loop, it absorbs the heat from the ground
and takes it back into the house where the geothermal unit transfers it
into air drawn through the unit. It then blows the warm air around house
using a standard duct system for heating and also provides hot water.
Another option is radiant heating installed under the floors.
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