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