Geothermal technology uses the natural heat that is stored just below the surface of the earth to heat or cool homes and businesses. A few feet beneath the surface, the earth's temperature remains fairly constant year-round. Geothermal technology takes advantage of this constant temperature to provide extremely efficient heating and cooling.

In the winter, water circulating through underground pipes absorbs heat from the earth and carries it into the home. A system inside the home uses a heat pump to concentrate the earth's thermal energy and then transfer it to air circulated through standard ductwork, filling the interior space with warmth. In the summer, the process is reversed: heat is extracted from the air in the house and transferred through the heat pump to the underground pipes. The water solution in the ground loop then carries the excess heat back into the earth. The only external energy needed for this technology to work is the small amount of electricity needed to operate the refrigerant compressor, ground loop pump and fan. This offers a significant savings in the monthly costs of heating and cooling a home.

The basic technology has been around for more than 50 years, and many homeowners and businesses have been enjoying the benefits of geothermal technology for years. Recently, though, many improvements have been made in the materials used, the installation methods and the efficiencies of compressors, pumps and other equipment. More in-depth information about geothermal energy can be found at the following links:

An Introduction to Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
ECS Geothermal
Blackhills Power
GeoExchange