Geothermal heat pumps (aka ground-source heat pumps) represent sustainable "green" technology because they're much more efficient than other HVAC systems and because they utilize a renewable resource: the earth's ability to store and release heat.
To start, you can read about heating systems on our site. In the summer, a heat pump functions as an air conditioner, moving heat from inside your house to the outside. During the winter, this cycle is reversed, allowing the heat pump to warm your living space. Geothermal heat pumps (aka ground-source heat pumps) represent sustainable "green" technology because they're much more efficient than other HVAC systems and because they utilize a renewable energy resource: the earth's ability to store and release heat.
As shown in the drawing, a geothermal heat pump utilizes tubing buried in the ground to either dump heat from the house to the ground (cooling mode) or transfer heat from the ground to the house (heating mode). The steady year-round temperature of the earth (55-65 degrees below the frost line) is what makes geothermal heat pumps so efficient. As a bonus, many of these systems can also take care of heating your water, so in certain instances, there may be no need for a separate water heater.
Harnessing the earth's energy pays off. A geothermal heat pump can save you 30% - 70% on heating expenses and 20% - 50% on air conditioning, compared to conventional heating and cooling systems.
The only potential downside to a geothermal heat pump is the upfront investment and disruption to your yard. Trenches or deep holes need to be made to bury the tubing loops deep enough to harness the earth's temperature. Technological advances are being made that may soon bring down costs and provide options that are significantly less disruptive to your yard. In our Home Energy Checkup, Dr. Energy Saver can help determine if this excellent renewable option makes sense for your home energy savings.
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