GeoThermal / Ground Source Heat Pump – The Basics January 23, 2009

Strictly speaking, what’s often called a “geothermal system” is a misnomer because it implies tapping the heat in the Earth, something already done at large scale to supply electricity to utilities. This geothermal energy–and its offshoot enhanced geothermal–works only works in certain geographies and uses different technology.

Rather than use underground heat, geothermal heat pumps attached to buildings capitalize on the steady temperature of the ground or deep water wells. In effect, they treat the Earth like a giant energy savings bank, depositing or withdrawing heat depending on the time of year.