Geothermal heating and air conditioning is a sustainable energy because it is capable of being renewed from nearly non-exhaustible resources. Other sustainable energies include solar, wind, and tidal power.
Growing awareness of unsustainable energy sources and their harmful environmental impact has motivated many countries to take action and begin installing sustainable energy sources, such as geothermal heating and air conditioning. For instance, Iceland uses geothermal energy for most of its buildings and to heat swimming pools. According to National Geographic:
“Geothermal energy is generated in over 20 countries. The United States is the world’s largest producer, and the largest geothermal development in the world is The Geysers north of San Francisco in California.”
How Geothermal Heating and Air Conditioning Works
As you probably remember from elementary school, the center of our planet is very hot. In fact, the center of Earth is as hot as the surface of the Sun (bbc.com)!
This heat is mostly due to the extreme amount of pressure it is under. The heat is so intense that even when it passes through the outer core and the mantle, it is still hot enough to melt metal and have magma burst out of the crust.
Geothermal heating and air conditioning systems utilize the sustainable heat created naturally by our planet. The “hydrothermalfluids” are used to heat water and pump steam into a building. Geothermal plants are also used to generate electricity by having the steam spin a generator.
A ground loop in installed underground, eliminating and insightly equipment in your home or land. In the winter, heat is extracted from underneath the soil and transferred to your home. In the summer, the process is reversed and heat is taken from your home and released into the ground below.
This infographic does a good job of explaining how geothermal heating and air conditioning systems work.
Image via billsheating.com
No matter what type of geothermal loop you need, whether it is a vertical, horizontal, pond, or open, we can get the job done so that your new sustainable energy source can last you more than 20 years.
For a recap of how geothermal heating and air conditioning works, see this video:
In addition to reduced energy costs, quieter and cleaner operation, and a much longer lifespan, geothermal system are also eligible for federal and local tax credits and rebates:
Incentives and Financial Opportunities
Federal
The Federal government is offering the Investment Tax Credit—a 30% credit against income taxes due to the IRS.
State
Rebates of up to $3,000 for residential heat pump systems can be applied for through Maryland’s Geothermal Heat Pump Grant Program.
Local
Many local jurisdictions offer exemptions and credits on personal property taxes that can offset the cost of installing geothermal heat pump systems.
Additional resources for the latest in financial incentives can be found at the Maryland Energy Administration’s Incentives & Resources page and the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.
For more tips on saving money and energy, see our Top 10 Tips to Save Money and the Planet.
What are you waiting for? Start harnessing the power of the Earth to save you energy dollars.
We provide full Hagerstown, MD geothermal installation and replacement services, and we will make sure that the system we install for you is perfectly suited to your budget and needs.
Whether you are sure you want to invest in a geothermal installation now or you want to learn more for future reference, give Larry & Sons a call today at (301) 733-5428.
Our expert geothermal technicians are standing by to provide you with top quality geothermal services in Hagerstown, Frederick MD, and the surrounding areas.
We service Hagerstown, Frederick, and the surrounding Maryland areas. We also service parts of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
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