Tapping The Heat Beneath Your Feet (watch videos below)

In the ground beneath your feet is a source of energy that can power an amazingly efficient heating and cooling system - known as geothermal heating and cooling. The technology is driven by geothermal heat pumps (GHPs).

Since the earth is constantly absorbing heat energy from the sun, it maintains a relatively constant temperature at a depth of 4’ – 6’. In Colorado, this temperature ranges from about 45 - 55° F. Geo systems capture this energy, through a combination of collection pipes (loop field) and a geothermal heat pump, to produce what the U.S. EPA has called the “most energy-efficient, environmentally clean and cost effective space conditioning systems available.” 

Also called ground source heat pumps, geothermal heat exchange, and geoexchange, GHP technology is a proven way to heat and cool buildings that has a minimal carbon footprint, uses significantly less energy than conventional methods and provides a comfort level that rates high among users.

GHP systems simplify heating and cooling by using the same equipment for both processes. In the winter, the system collects heat from the ground, which is boosted by the heat pump to create hot air for your home. In the summer, the heat pump reverses and collects heat from the house (thereby cooling it) and moves the excess heat back into the ground. Simple, efficient, money-saving and environmentally friendly!

Advantages of geothermal heating and cooling systems:

·         Reduced energy costs and low maintenance requirements

·         Quiet operation and small equipment footprint

·         Steadier temperatures and no blasts of hot or cold air

·         No onsite carbon emissions therefore no carbon monoxide risk

·         Lower lifecycle costs, very high operating efficiencies and long system life 

Watch the video above to learn how geothermal heating and cooling works (video courtesy of Geothermal Genius) and this one (courtesy of CoGEHPA Member WaterFurnace).  

Here is one of the first national TV commercials for geothermal heat pumps.

The video below demonstrates why people choose GHP systems to heat and cool their homes (video courtesy of CoGEHPA Member Blue Valley Energy).

The video below is from a homeowner in Maryland who has had a geothermal heating and cooling system since 2006. His house is relatively small (1,300 sf) and the video provides a good, honest testimonial on his experience with geo including the costs and paybacks. 

Learn more about geothermal heating and cooling here.