What is Geothermal?
Geothermal heating and cooling systems are simply THE MOST EFFICIENT available today. Geothermal technology harnesses the natural energy that is trapped below the earth's surface, tapping into the renewable energy of the sun.
How does it work? You may realize that no matter whether it’s frigid winter or boiling summer, the temperature of the earth stays fairly constant below ground level. In Illinois, the temperature below ground is a constant mid-50 degrees.
To heat, a geothermal system uses an earth loop to extract this heat from the ground. The system draws the heat from a fluid that is circulated from a closed earth loop, maximizing the heat energy through a simple refrigeration process. The heat is then distributed through a conventional duct system.
In the cooling mode, the system just reverses course, extracting heat from inside the building, and moving it back into the earth loop. In either mode, the geothermal system can also be used to heat domestic hot water, or supplement a facility’s hot water heating system.
Geothermal heating systems typically cost more to install than conventional systems, but this additional investment can be quickly paid back through significant energy savings of 50 percent or greater.
For additional information on geothermal heating and cooling technology, contact your local electric cooperative or visit:
