| Geothermal heat pumps harness the heating and | | | | loop or open loop system. Households |
| cooling powers of the earth in an energy | | | | generally use a closed loop system. A closed |
| efficient system that is friendly to the | | | | loop system uses an underground pipe filled |
| environment. The geothermal heat pumps are | | | | with a liquid solution to conduct heat or |
| considered environmentally friendly since the | | | | cool air. The open loop system uses ground |
| technology uses the earth as a heating and | | | | water or the earth to transfer the heat or |
| cooling source of energy. Geothermal heat | | | | cool air. |
| pumps save consumers money because one | | | | |
| geothermal heat pump can be used to heat and | | | | The geothermal heat pumps require an annual |
| cool a building. | | | | cleaning. Cleaning means that an acid based |
| | | | wash will be used on the pipes. With regular |
| The geothermal heat pump does not need to | | | | maintenance, the system will work well with |
| burn fuel for heating or cooling. A | | | | infrequent need to replace parts. The air |
| geothermal heat pump transfers the earth heat | | | | filter should be checked and cleaned as often |
| into the home for heating purposes and | | | | as once a month. A technician can provide any |
| absorbs heat from the home to cool it off. | | | | further details about the operation and care |
| This system works ground pumps that collect | | | | of the geothermal heat pump. |
| the heat in underground pipes. The heat is | | | | |
| concentrated and stored in these pipes until | | | | Owners of geothermal heat pumps can save |
| it is needed. These same pipes will send the | | | | money on their heating and cooling bills. |
| heat into the building upon command. | | | | Despite the cost of buying and installing the |
| | | | system, owners report significant savings |
| When the home is hot, the same heating pipes | | | | from using the geothermal heat pumps in |
| are used to draw the heat from the home. The | | | | comparison to heating or cooling the home |
| heat air is cooled underground and sent back | | | | with more traditional systems. Since the |
| to the home. The geothermal heat pumps can be | | | | temperature of the ground and ground water |
| modified for use in radiant floor heating, | | | | remains between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit |
| water heaters and to melt snow along walkways | | | | throughout the year, it allows the geothermal |
| in the winter. | | | | heat pump a continual source of warm or cool |
| | | | air. Fans of the geothermal heat pumps claim |
| The system provides a steady stream of heat | | | | that they save almost half the money that |
| or cooled air into the home. Unlike other | | | | they would have otherwise spent on their |
| heating systems, the geothermal heat pump | | | | heating bills and up to 30% on their costs to |
| does not send particles into the air when it | | | | cool their home. |
| is working. Geothermal heat pumps also | | | | |
| provide silent service which is a welcome | | | | Geothermal heat pumps are used in homes, |
| change from noisy air conditioners or heating | | | | commercial and industrial buildings. Their |
| systems. The system is activated by a wall | | | | ability to save on heating and cooling costs |
| mounted thermostat which can be used to heat | | | | is a tremendous attraction for many |
| or cool the home. | | | | consumers. As an alternative heat source, the |
| | | | geothermal heat pump has a great future. |
| A geothermal heat pump may be either a closed | | | | |