Geothermal or Ground Source Heat Pumps are one of the most efficient systems used to condition residential homes today. In many cases, energy costs for heating and cooling are up to 60% less. Where traditional, air to air heat pumps extract heat from the air outside, geothermal heat pumps extract heat from the ground or ground water. Through the concept of specific heat, we know that the ground and ground water stores up to 3000 times more heat per cubic foot than air. Also, the ground retains a much higher temperature for a longer period of time. When it is zero degrees outside, ground source heat pumps extract heat at the same rate as traditional heat pumps do when it is 60 degrees outside.

Because of the earth’s ability to retain heat energy for long periods of time, a Geothermal Heat Pump acts to recycle heat energy from your home. During the summer, the system removes heat from the air in the home and stores it in the earth; when winter comes along, it takes some of that same heat energy and uses it to keep you warm! With the enormous tax incentives now available to residential homeowners (see www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm) Geothermal systems are a great way to reduce your energy bills and also preserve our planet.

Duane Gentry
President
Gentry Heating and Cooling