The Earth as a Renewable Energy Source:
- Absorbs 47% of the sun’s energy
- Underground temperature remains constant between 45–55o F all year round
Below-Surface Geothermal System:
- 2 main components:
- Ground Loop, a series of flexible plastic pipes buried under the ground
- Geothermal Heat Pump located in the building
- During the winter – Extracts heat from the ground and distributes it throughout the building
- During the summer – Collects heat from the building and sends it to the ground loop to be dissipated
