Geothermal Equipment in your Green Home

Our last blog discussed the kinds of geothermal energy systems available. Whichever system you choose, you will need equipment inside your house, called a "geo-exchange system".

A geo-exchange system replaces your furnace and your air conditioner. They are very quiet and compact and are typically installed in the basement. Some are small enough to fit on a closet shelf. The system uses electric compressors and heat exchangers in a vapor compression cycle to concentrate the earth’s energy and release it into the home at a higher temperature either through a forced air or hydronic system. In summer, the geo-exchange system takes the heat from the home, circulates it to the earth where it is expelled and absorbed into the ground (the same principle used in refrigerators).

There are many types of geothermal heat pumps available (like the Bryant® Legacy Gas Furnace and Air Conditioner pictured above), many having integrated water heaters. For an ENERGY STAR™ geothermal heat pump products list plus additional information on renewable energy, visit the ENERGY STAR™ website. There you can download specific product and manufacturer information - and even find a contractor.

Consider an all-in-one system that provides year round comfort which heats through the winter months and cools all summer. These types of systems replace the traditional indoor furnace/outdoor air conditioning applications.

There are also numerous federal and state incentives for renewal energy systems as well. Visit the US Department of Energy’s website for more information.


Jeremy Bonin, AIA NCARB LEED AP

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC