DEFINITION - What is a geothermal system?
Geothermal systems are a heating and cooling method allowing to regulate the temperature inside buildings by operating heat exchanges with the earth.
HOW IT WORKS - Geothermal systems explained
To understand the basic principle behind geothermal systems, you need to know that a few meters under the ground, the temperature is approximately constant, at around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, all year long. So, in winter, the ground is warmer than the ambient air. The geothermal system pulls that heat from the ground to your house: it's the heating mode. In summer, it's the opposite. The ground is cooler than the ambient air. The geothermal system pushes the heat from your house to the ground: it's the cooling mode.
The main components of a geothermal system are the underground piping circuit, the heat pump and the air-delivery system (ductwork). A carrier fluid inside the underground piping circuit drains the heat from the ground and transmits it to the geothermal heat pump. The heat pump then collects the heat from the carrier fluid and transmits it to the air-delivery system. Through the ducts, the heat is finally dispatched evenly into your house.
BENEFITS - Why choose a geothermal system?
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are very advantageous.
Geothermal systems are green
The geothermal energy is green and renewable. With a geothermal heating and cooling system, you can help saving the planet without neglecting your comfort. In fact, as opposed to other renewable sources of energy such as solar panels and wind turbines, geothermal systems do not depend on climatic conditions. Your geothermal heating and cooling systems is therefore continuously working to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your house.
Geothermal systems are economical
Why just save the planet when you can save money doing so? As a matter of fact, geothermal systems can generate considerable savings on heating and cooling costs, while contributing to the protection of the environment for future generations.
Yes, it's true. Switching to the geothermal energy requires a larger investment on the short-term comparing to conventional heating and cooling systems. But you should look at the long-term. From that perspective, the real cost of a geothermal heating and cooling system is lower than any other systems. By far.
In fact, the return on investment for a geothermal system takes only a few years (usually 2 to 7), thanks to savings of up to 75% on the heating and cooling bills, as well as on hot water costs. Moreover, geothermal systems can considerably increase the resale value of your house. You can also save a lot on repair and maintenance expenses, which are virtually non-existent with geothermal heating and cooling systems.
Geothermal systems are durable
Buying a geothermal heating and cooling system is buying peace of mind for the years to come. In fact, the average lifespan of a geothermal heat pump is around 25 years. It's twice the life expectancy of a conventional heat pump! As for the underground piping circuit, it can last as long as 50 years.
Geothermal systems are comfortable
Geothermal systems eliminate drafts inside your house, generating an even and cozy temperature in every room. Heating and cooling systems that use the geothermal energy do not require any visible outdoor component that could emit annoying noises.
Geothermal systems are hassle-free
Geothermal heating and cooling systems require almost no maintenance. You just need to clean the filter once in a while. That's all!
COST - Are geothermal systems affordable?
The purchase cost of a geothermal heating and cooling system varies from a project to another. To give you an idea, it ranges from 20,000 to CAN$40,000. This amount can be divided in three approximately equal parts. The first third consists of the drilling and the underground piping circuit of the geothermal system. The second part comprises the heat pump and the ductwork, and the labour costs cover the last portion.
If your house already has a ductwork, you can deduct 25% from the total amount. A lot of other elements should be considered to fix a cost for your geothermal heating and cooling system, such as the nature of your project (new versus existing building), the surface area the building, the quality of its insulation, the type of ground under your property.
Nevertheless, a geothermal heating and cooling system can generate annual savings of up to 75%, allowing a rapid return on investment. The payback period usually ranges from 2 to 7 years. Afterward, and for every subsequent year, you just have to meet the operating cost of your geothermal system, which is around 1$ per day!
STATISTICS - Geothermal systems in numbers
- The heating and cooling costs for a 2000 square feet house equipped with a geothermal system represent approximately 1$ per day.
- Nowadays, there are more than 1 million geothermal heating and cooling system in the U.S.A.
- The annual operating cost of a geothermal heating and cooling system is up to 75% lower than for conventional systems.
- The lifespan of geothermal heating and cooling systems is twice the one of conventional systems.
- According to the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition, the installation of 650 000 geothermal heating and cooling systems is equivalent to taking 840 000 cars out of the roads, planting 250 million trees or reducing the annual consumption of crude oil of about 14 million barrels.
- Geothermal heating and cooling systems can generate savings of up to 50% on the costs of hot water.
- The payback period of a geothermal heating and cooling system usually ranges from 2 to 7 years.
USEFUL LINKS - Geothermal systems on the Web
www.geo-exchange.ca
Official website of the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition. You can find a lot of interesting information to keep you up-to-date on the geothermal heating and cooling systems' industry.
www.digtheheat.com
Besides geothermal heating and cooling systems, this website offers in-depth information on many renewable sources of energy. The FAQ about geothermal systems covers almost everything on the subject.
www.alternative-energy-news.info
This is a very useful resource on the geothermal energy technology. You can also find a video about how geothermal heating and cooling systems work.
geothermal.marin.org
The Geothermal Education Office's main objective is to develop and distribute geothermal energy information for educators, students and the public. Consult the Geothermal Slide Show for more information on the geothermal energy.
MYTHS AND REALITIES - Just the truth about geothermal systems
Geothermal systems can only be installed in new constructions.
False. Geothermal systems can be installed in existing buildings as well. So, if your heating and cooling system has to be replaced, you should consider purchasing a geothermal system. By the way, if you already have ductwork, it will make the installation a lot easier and reduce considerably the purchase cost.
Geothermal systems are way too expensive.
False. If geothermal systems weren't affordable in the past, it's not true anymore. Technologies have evolved, reducing considerably the overall cost of geothermal systems. At the same time, the operating costs of conventional systems are going up year after year. Moreover, since a couple of year, most governments offer advantageous financial help for those who switch to geothermal heating and cooling systems. Geothermal systems have never been so affordable!
Geothermal system can also take care of your domestic hot water needs.
True. In heating mode, the warm air that your geothermal system pushes from your house to the ground can be used to heat your hot water tank.
Geothermal systems rely on an emerging technology that has no yet proven its value.
False. Modern geothermal systems exist for more than 50 years now. Since then, a lot of companies and individuals have been enjoying the benefits of geothermal heating and cooling systems. However, it is true that the industry has recently taken advantage of significant technological breakthroughs, allowing to increase the reliability and lifespan of geothermal systems while reducing their cost at the same time.
Geothermal systems are only available for residential buildings.
False. Geothermal heating and cooling systems can also meet commercial and industrial needs.
Geothermal system can be installed in any region of the world.
True. The source of energy of geothermal heating and cooling systems, which is the temperature beneath the earth's surface, is accessible anywhere on Earth.
With time, the geothermal energy runs dry and the system becomes inefficient.
False. The geothermal energy is completely renewable. The capacity of your geothermal heating and cooling system is constant throughout its lifespan.