The Smart Guide to Geothermal: How to Harvest Earth's Free Energy for Heating and Cooling

Discover why geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient technology for heating and cooling, and how all homes—new or retrofit, in hot or cold climates—can use this reliable, silent, non-polluting way of extracting free energy from the earth.

Contents Include:

- Geothermal system options, including open-loop, closed-loop and DX configurations, using horizontal and vertical earth loops;
- The importance of finding a qualified contractor;
- Costs, tax credits and payback issues, plus calculating increased home values;
- Who is using geothermal energy, including the author's firsthand experiences, home profiles in the US and Canada, as well as an overview of commercial/institutional projects;
- How solar electricity can be used to power the system, plus other future trends;
- Unraveling the science and technology of geothermal heat pumps (GHPs);
- Understanding GHP performance standards, ratings and warranties in the US and Canada;
- Comprehensive appendix with helpful resources; (manufacturers, associations, etc.) and a career section for those interested in entering the field.