Geothermal energy: the good and the bad

Geothermal energy: the good and the bad

Part 1: The Good

Sustainable

  • The number one advantage of geothermal energy is that it is a sustainable energy source. Unlike non-renewable fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, gas and other carbon energy sources, geothermal energy is a renewable energy just like wind energy, solar energy and wave energy, etc. The heat of the Earth is unlimited, and therefore the geometrical energy is also unlimited energy.
  • Once a geothermal heat pump is installed, it will generate power for many years, without the need to replace the power source. Minor maintenance may be required on the heat pump, but the loop system will work for decades, provided it has been properly installed.

environmental friendly

  • Geothermal energy is very environmentally friendly and is one of the main reasons why people around the world should make the switch. It does not pollute the air or water and as a result, it will not harm our planet or our health. We can benefit from geothermal energy now and for future generations, while living in harmony with our natural environment.

It has the potential to help you save a lot of money.

  • In the long run, geothermal energy will save us money. Once a geothermal power system is installed, it has a very low maintenance cost, but it can heat and cool an entire building for decades.
  • In most cases, the initial investment costs to install a geothermal system will break even in around 10 years. Therefore, this “free” energy source is not only worth looking for, it will undoubtedly be worth it even more in the future. More people using geothermal technology will lower prices, because as demand increases, prices for parts and installation will decrease as competition increases.
  • It doesn’t require ongoing repairs or mandatory yearly inspections like other ovens, which will save you $$$$$ a lot of money in the long run as well.

Harmless

  • Using a geothermal heat pump is incredibly safe (when properly installed by a qualified specialist). You don’t have to worry about being poisoned by dangerous gases like carbon monoxide, and it won’t catch fire like a wood stove, it won’t explode like natural gas or propane can, and it doesn’t emit dangerous gases. radiation.

Constant rate of electrical energy

  • One of the main problems with alternative green energy solutions is often that they are unreliable. It may not be blowing, the sun may not be shining (especially at night), and the ocean is calm, producing few waves. But, fortunately, this is not the case for power and geothermal energy, which produces a constant source of heat and cooling, regardless of the time of year, season, time of day, or outside temperature. It can produce a constant 60 F or 16 C at a depth of 6 feet or 1.8 meters, annually, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Unlimited supply

  • It may not be obvious, but geothermal energy offers an infinite supply of energy. The power source would probably never be depleted, not in a million years, and probably not even in a billion years, and it is available at all times, never shutting down or ceasing to provide power.

Could be used for a variety of purposes

  • Geothermal sites are found on every continent and can be used commercially and residentially to heat and cool buildings. But it can also be used for electricity generation through the use of geothermal power plants. Other uses would be hot spring baths or water heaters, but they would only depend on the location.

Part 2: The Bad

Startup costs are high

  • The high cost of installing a geothermal heating and cooling system is the biggest drawback. It is more expensive to install one of these systems compared to a natural gas, boiler or wood burning system.

Having a wide area is necessary

  • A fairly large property area is needed to install a geothermal heating system. In the case of a large backyard of a property, it will not be a big problem, but a geothermal heat pump system may not be installed in a garden-sized patio in a house in the city, at least not with horizontal loops. Vertical lines can also be used, but it is considerably more difficult and expensive to pierce vertically relative to horizontal loops.

Electric power is still needed

  • A heat pump needs electricity to work. This is more like a geothermal heat pump downside and yet needs to be considered when deciding whether a geothermal heat pump system is the way to go. The amount of electricity is not really that much, but if you go offline, it should definitely be considered.

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