Harnessing the Power of the Ground Beneath Our Feet: Encouraging Greater Installation of Geothermal Heat Pumps in the Northeast United States

摘要

The use of geothermal heat pumps to heat or cool a home or building-by utilizing the relatively constant temperature of the earth to heat or cool a structure-seems like a very simple concept. But the benefit of geothermal heat pumps can be immense. In 2010, heating and cooling needs accounted for roughly seventy percent of residential site energy consumption. In meeting these needs, geothermal heat pumps can greatly reduce energy use and peak demand for electricity in buildings. Indeed, because geothermal heat pumps use the constant temperature of the ground to heat and cool buildings, geothermal heat pumps use electricity more efficiently than air-source heat pumps. Thus, adoption of geothermal heat pumps can reduce demand for electricity.