How Geo Works

What is Geothermal Energy?

Our earth's interior - like the sun - provides heat energy from nature. This heat - geothermal energy - yields warmth and power that we can use without polluting the environment.

The earth is a storage device for the sun's energy. Geothermal systems simply tap into this stored energy and transfer it to your home. Unlike fossil fuel heating systems geothermal systems transfer heat - they don't create it.

No matter where you live, the underground temperature stays relatively constant all year, even though the outdoor temperature varies widely.

Unlike traditional furnaces that burn fuels for heat and require a separate air conditioner or chiller system, geothermal heat pumps provide heating and cooling by simply moving heat from one place to another instead of by creating it.

The extraordinary efficiencies make it the most cost-effective method for heating and cooling, reducing monthly energy bills by up to 60% over ordinary systems. It's also an excellent long-term investment for anyone. It is little wonder why these systems are so economical - they are using free heat from the ground.

Geothermal systems circulate a water-based solution through a "loop" of small-diameter, underground pipes. When heating, this solution absorbs heat from the earth and carries it to a geothermal unit, which (through a process much the same as your refrigerator) compresses the extracted heat to a high temperature and delivers it to your home. When cooling, the process is simply reversed, and the resulting cool, dehumidified air is delivered to your home. In some locations, direct well water is used, replacing the closed loop system.

Geothermal systems are extremely energy efficient since they only need a comparably small amount of electricity to power the pump, compressor and fan. Geothermal systems typically deliver up to 4 times more energy than they consume, so you save on your monthly energy bills when compared to other types of heating and cooling systems. 

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