Residential Geothermal Energy

On February 23rd I attended a lecture on residential geothermal energy. Geothermal energy works by using the constant temperature in the ground to heat and cool houses. In most cases at 10 feet deep the ground is about 57 degrees all year long. There are exceptions in areas with volcanic activity and such but we just focused on geothermal work around Maryland.
To transfer the constant ground temperature to a home, pipe needs to be placed in the ground that allows fluid to circulate through it. The fluid that circulates through the pipe absorbs the constant 57 degree temperature and brings it back to the house where it is delivered to a heat pump. There are a couple different methods of how the pipe is placed in the ground depending on the land where it is placed. The most common method that is used places the pipe at a vertical loop around 50 to a 100 feet deep. Horizontal loops can be used about 10 feet deep but they take up more area. The easiest method is to place the loops in a pond if there is one available, but that is usually not an option.
Once this is installed, geothermal heat can cut back heating and cooling electric bills by up to 70%. It is well worth it in the long run. Today a 3 ton house can have a geothermal system installed for around $12,000. It was around $18,000 but the stimulus package has changed that. Here is a link that shows diagrams of how the geothermal system works and advice for getting geothermal energy in your own home.
http://www.treesfullofmoney.com/2008/07/heating-your-home-with-geothermal.html