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Geothermal F.A.Q.'s

Pumps & Wells

Geothermal Frequently Asked Questions

What is geoexchange technology?

Geoexchange technology uses the earth's renewable energy, just below the surface, to heat or cool a home or other building, and to help provide hot water. It's sometimes referred to as a geothermal heat pump, a ground source heat pump, or green heat. No matter what you call it, geoexchange systems are the best choice you can make for both your pocketbook and your planet. In fact, these systems are so good that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said they are, "the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available today."

How does it work?

A few feet beneath the surface, the earth's temperature remains fairly constant, ranging from 45º or so in northern latitudes to about 70ºF in the deep south-year round. Geoexchange takes advantage of this constant temperature to provide extremely efficient heating and cooling. In winter, a water solution circulating through pipes buried in the ground absorbs heat from the earth and carries it into the home. The geoexchange system inside the home uses a heat pump to concentrate the earth's thermal energy and then to transfer it to air circulated through standard ductwork to fill the interior space with warmth. In the summer, the process is reversed: heat is extracted from the air in the house and transferred through the heat pump to the ground loop piping. The water solution in the ground loop then carries the excess heat back to the earth. The only external energy needed for geoexchange is the small amount of electricity needed to operate the ground loop pump and fan.