Geothermal heat pump projects to get U.S. gov't funds
International Business Times (June 2, 2009) - U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced Tuesday that his agency will grant nearly $50 million from the government's economic stimulus package funds to advance commercial deployment of geothermal heating pumps.
The geothermal heating pumps are systems that use the heat from the Earth to heat or cool a house or building. These systems are also known as GeoExchange, earth-coupled, ground-source, or water-source heat pumps.
"Expanded use of GHPs in the United States will create new jobs for engineers, manufacturers and technicians while at the same broadening our nation's clean and renewable energy portfolio," Chu said today in Fort Wayne, Indiana in a released statement.
The DOE will consider projects that demonstrate innovative technology, life cycle cost tools and help develop a national accreditation program for these technologies. Click here to read original news article.
Geothermal Energy Confusion
Do you know the difference between "geothermal energy" and a "ground source heat pump"? All I know is they both run into the ground. But as this article from Green Building Elements explains how together they can more efficiently heat and cool your home at a dramatically reduced price.
Simply stated, a geothermal energy system uses heat from below the surface of the Earth as an energy source (think: tapping into a geyser or a volcano for power).
A "ground source heat pump," also known as a "geoexchange system," uses the ground's stable year-round temperature to more efficiently heat or cool your home. How it does this is best explained by this video.
this video
