| After recovering from the shock of receiving your | | | | no one is the wiser. Well, you are when your utility |
| utility bill, you might be interested in alternative | | | | bills drop dramatically. |
| energy sources. Let's consider the pros of using | | | | The environmental benefits of geothermal heating |
| geothermal in your home. | | | | systems are fairly clear. Since the process involves a |
| Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source | | | | heat exchange between your home and the |
| because it comes from the core of the Earth on a | | | | constant temperature of the earth, there is no real |
| continual basis. At its most basic level, it is really | | | | environmental impact. The only exception to this |
| nuclear energy. This is because it is produced as a | | | | statements involves geothermal systems that use a |
| byproduct of the processes going on at the core of | | | | refrigerant as a conducting liquid. In such case, the |
| the Earth. | | | | refrigerant is generally toxic and must be accounted |
| Scientists generally agree that the core of the earth | | | | for when it is changed out of the system. Compared |
| is a super dense nuclear reactor, which produces heat | | | | to something like coal, however, this is a nominal |
| and a magnetic field as byproducts. Without either of | | | | concern. |
| these resources, life would not exist on earth. A lack | | | | One of the biggest advantages of geothermal |
| of heat would leave us looking like Pluto. A lack of a | | | | energy is it compares favorably with traditional fossil |
| magnetic field would result in solar radiation that sun | | | | fuels. Fossil fuels produce massive amounts of |
| block just couldn't handle. | | | | pollution. Geothermal does not. Fossil fuels are |
| An additional advantage of geothermal is it is very | | | | becoming harder to find. Geothermal will always be |
| flexible at the residential level. Heat pumps and | | | | available. Fossil fuels, such as oil, are not readily |
| thermal energy storage systems provide both | | | | available throughout the world, which gives rise to |
| heating and cooling, so places with hot summers and | | | | wars and such. Geothermal energy is available in |
| large air-conditioning needs find the systems more | | | | every country. |
| advantageous. | | | | Is geothermal energy going to become the dominant |
| Unlike solar panels, geothermal systems typically do | | | | energy source in the world? Probably not. It is |
| not impact the appearance of a home. By definition, | | | | difficult to use in certain applications, such as cars. For |
| the systems involve the placement of piles or coils | | | | large scale energy production and home climate |
| five feet under ground. Since they rarely have to be | | | | control, however, the pros of geothermal energy |
| dug up, landscaping can be placed over the coils and | | | | should be obvious. |