Geo-Thermal Energy... Geo-Thermal heat pumps, also known as ground source heat pumps are among the most energy and cost efficient heating and cooling systems available today. They use less electricity and produce fewer emissions than conventional systems and provide a comfortable indoor environment. When a building is constructed with a geothermal system it is like planting 750 trees or taking 2 cars off of the road. Twenty percent of all newly constructed government buildings are required to have a geothermal system. The technology relies on the relatively constant temperature of the earth about 5 feet below the surface, warmer than the air above it during the winter and cooler in the summer. The geothermal heat pump takes advantage of this by transferring heat stored in the Earth or in ground water into a building during the winter, and transferring it out of the building and back into the ground during the summer. Studies show that 70% of the energy used in a geothermal heat pump system is renewable energy from the ground. The system includes three principal components: Geo-Thermal earth connection subsystem Geo-Thermal heat pump subsystem Geo-Thermal heat distribution subsystem Assuming energy prices remain the same, the return on cost ranges from 2-6 years. Homeowners with Geoexchange units typically realize energy savings of 25 to 50% over conventional gas, oil, or heat pump systems. In fact, a typical 2000-sq.-ft. home can be heated and cooled for as little as $1 a day. In addition, Geoexchange systems can supplement the home's conventional water heater, saving up to 30% of hot water costs every year. Other sources for Geo-Thermal information include... How it works: Geo-Thermal Heat Pump Consortium How Geo-Thermal works: California Energy Commission Department of Energy detailed benefits of Geo-Thermal The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association Water & Furnace Geo-Thermal system