National and international concerns over the price and availability of fossil fuels have recently been accompanied by the specter of environmental catastrophes such as the Deep Water Horizon oil spill. Additionally, some see costly wars in the Middle East as conflicts over oil. The desire to distance the nation from dependence on fossil fuels has made green energy a hot topic, with wind and solar energy frequently being touted as viable alternatives. However, another green option – geothermal energy – is often overlooked or dismissed as a practical source of cheap, clean and renewable energy.
Ron MacKinnon
WhoKnowsThisStuff.com
One reason geothermal energy is often underutilized is a lack of knowledge among residential and commercial energy customers. While solar panels and wind turbines are highly visible, underground geothermal systems are not. And while one can feel the energy potential of the wind and sun on a breezy or hot day, many people are oblivious to the potential of geothermal heating and cooling systems, drawing their power from the ground.
This article will discuss some of the major misconceptions surrounding geothermal energy as well as ways to clear up these misperceptions in order to provide energy customers with the knowledge they need to make informed and practical decisions regarding their energy consumption.
What is Geothermal Energy?
Geothermal energy is energy derived from the Earth. The planet contains a great deal of heat stored underground. Geysers and hot springs are highly visible manifestations of this energy; however, even the soil and rock under our feet store vast amounts of energy that can be harnessed to both heat and cool buildings.
Geothermal Myths:
Myth #1: Geothermal Energy is too expensive.
A common misconception with geothermal energy, as well as green energy technologies in general, is that the installation, operation and maintenance of the necessary equipment is far more costly than traditional heating and cooling systems. If this weren’t the case, why wouldn’t everyone be using geothermal energy?
While the cost of installing a geothermal heating and cooling system will likely be more than traditional systems, the long-term savings will more than make up for this up-front expense. Typical savings range from 50 to 75 percent of traditional heating and cooling systems. Furthermore, government initiatives such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act offer tax incentives for the installation of geothermal systems.
Myth #2: The underground energy that geothermal relies on cannot provide enough energy to make installation of such a system worthwhile.
It’s difficult for many energy customers to grasp the energy potential that lies beneath the ground. It is simply not intuitive for most people to think about pulling energy right out of the ground. When something seems too good to be true, the typical reaction is to assume that it is probably is.
While it may be hard to imagine the potential of pumping energy out of the ground itself, the fact is that geothermal energy systems can operate at up to 400 to 600 percent efficiency, compared to around 96 percent efficiency for a fossil fuel furnace.
Myth #3: Geothermal energy technologies lack the proven effectiveness of more traditional methods.
To many, geothermal energy is a novel idea that is on the cutting edge of technology. The idea of drawing energy from the Earth seems like something out of science fiction, something that is more of an ambitious theory than a scientific reality. If geothermal energy is truly an effective heating and cooling source, why haven’t people been using it for years?
The reality is that geothermal heating and cooling techniques have been around for years. For centuries, the Earth’s geothermal energy has been harnessed from naturally occurring hot springs in areas such as Hot Springs, Ark. Additionally, extremely low-tech concepts such as underground dwellings have been used throughout history to take advantage of the way the Earth’s surface moderates temperature. Modern geothermal technologies simply take these concepts further and have been proven effective for decades in many European nations.
Myth #4: Geothermal energy systems are too complicated for the average consumer to install and maintain properly.
For contractors installing a heating and cooling system in a new building, the idea of a system of underground tubes, vents, ducts and compressors manipulating the temperatures beneath a structure to heat and cool the building may seem prohibitively complex for use in everyday construction. Sure, geothermal energy sounds great for large-scale, high-tech projects, but not for a single-family dwelling or an ordinary office building.
While, contractors should not endeavor to include a geothermal system in a new building without taking the time to learn about the technology and the installation process, this is not as difficult as many people assume. Organizations such as Milwaukee Stove & Furnace have set up programs to help contractors learn what they need to know to successfully utilize geothermal heating systems.
Myth #4: Geothermal is only for new construction.
Perhaps as a byproduct of the image many people have of geothermal energy as a new and ground breaking concept, many overlook the possibility of updating the heating and cooling systems in existing buildings to utilize geothermal energy.
The reality, however, is that the retrofit market for geothermal systems is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. In fact, geothermal systems may be especially attractive for older buildings with poor insulation due to the efficiency of these systems over traditional, fossil-fuel systems.
Conclusions
Clearly, there is a great deal of misunderstanding surrounding many aspects of geothermal energy. This article has offered a brief list of common misconceptions and provided some information to help clarify some generally held inaccuracies. But how can an energy provider more thoroughly educate consumers and contractors about geothermal energy?
Perhaps the most effective means of winning over geothermal skeptics is a simple cost comparison between geothermal energy and traditional, fossil fuel based energy systems. Between long-term increases in energy efficiency and currently available tax incentives, geothermal energy can be a very attractive way to save money for many customers, and by simply providing its customers with a cost comparison pamphlet with their next energy bill, an energy provider can help spread the word about the financial benefits of geothermal energy.
Additionally, as previously mentioned, some organizations offer training and support programs to help contractors install and retrofit geothermal systems in new and existing structures. A contractor who understands the workings and benefits of such a system will be more likely to discuss this option with a customer who may otherwise be unaware that geothermal is even an option.
About the Author
Ron MacKinnon has a background in HVAC and energy management and expertise in the broad range of renewable energy options. But his passion is geothermal energy and he’s committed to providing clear, concise and consistent information to United States consumers. “Who Knows This Stuff” is a consumer-friendly source of easy-to-understand information on renewable technology options and opportunities. Through video that takes visitors on site and uses drawings, animations and interviews with industry experts, “Who Knows This Stuff” simplifies the complexities of renewable energy to make it accessible to all.
