Geothermal energy solutions are best defined as the use of the Earth's thermal energy for heating and cooling.

Applications include:

• Home heating and cooling
• Hot water
• Pool heating
• Radiant floor heating
• Chill water systems
• for more information see www.waterfurnace.com

For heating, it involves pumping cool water (often containing an antifreeze) through pipes in the ground. As the water circulates underground it absorbs heat from the ground and, on its return, the now warmer water passes through a heat exchanger which uses electricity to extract the heat from the water. The re-chilled water is sent back through the ground thus continuing the cycle. The heat extracted and that generated by the heat exchanger unit as a byproduct is used to heat the house. The addition of the ground heating loop in the energy equation means that more heat is generated than if electricity alone had been used directly for heating. Switching the direction of flow, the same system can be used to circulate the cooled water through the house for cooling in the summer months with the warm water being circulated through the ground loop for cooling.

Geothermal heat pumps take advantage of the natural constant temperature of the earth. During winter when the ground temperature is warmer than the air above it, geothermal heat pumps use the earth’s soil (or groundwater) to recover the earth’s heat. In contrast, an air-source heat pump will remove heat from the cold outside air and thus requires more energy. In the summer months, geothermal heat pumps deliver heat to the same relatively cool soil (or groundwater) rather than delivering it to the hot outside air as an air source pump does. As a result, the heat is pumped over a greater temperature difference with a geothermal heat pump and this leads to higher efficiency and lower energy use.

Renewable Energy Solutions, Inc. |  Harnessing the Earth's Energy
Specializing in : Geothermal - Solar - Radiant
13200 Willow Run Rd. | Elkwood, VA 22718 | (540) 825-3651 | info@res-corp.com