THE REAL ESTATE EXPLAINER: Geothermal Heating 101

Geothermal Basics

Geothermal heating and cooling systems, also referred to as "ground source", "ground-coupled", or "earth energy" heat pump systems, are "...self-contained, electrically-powered systems that take advantage of the Earth's relatively constant, moderate ground temperature to provide heating, cooling, and domestic hot water more efficiently and less expensively than would be possible through other conventional heating and cooling technologies” (source)

To heat or cool a building, an electric heat pump is used to concentrate the energy in the fluid from the Earth, using technology similar to that used in refrigerators. The system can be used with both forced-air and hydronic (hot water) heating systems. (source)

Residential Heating and Cooling

A closed loop system utilizes a grid of pipes to pump heat transfer fluid through either a horizontal or vertical circuit of underground piping between the ground and the building.

In the winter a building is heated by collecting heat from the Earth and brought to the heat pump which concentrates the heat and supplies it to the building at 35 degrees Celsius. As the Earth is cooler than the air in the summer, this system allows for efficient air conditioning consuming 50-70% less electricity than conventional air conditioning systems. (source)

Popularity Over Time

Over the last decade or so, there has been a widespread movement toward more sustainable and renewable methods of doing just about everything.

For some, it is an environmental matter, for others, it is an issue of cost. Mounting energy prices have caused many to reconsider less traditional options.

Geothermal heat pumps have been around for well over 50 years, but for much of that time, they have failed to capture the interest of the average person. Times have clearly changed. Now, it would seem, it is time to take a second look at geothermal heating pumps. (source)

Other Considerations

The major reservation most people have about geothermal heating pumps is the initial cost of investment. It can also be quite intrusive in the case of retrofitting existing homes. However, if you take into account the benefits, they can be worth the investment.

The specifics of these mitigating factors are too depend mostly on personal circumstances and require further research on the part of the buyer, but the basic concepts should be enough to get an interested person started off in the right direction. (source)