Geothermal Energy Systems

Geothermal systems exploit the Earth's constant subsurface temperature (typically 45-75°F regardless of season) for efficient heating and cooling. The primary technology is ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs), which circulate a refrigerant through underground loops, extracting or rejecting heat depending on season. Components: (1) underground loop (vertical boreholes or horizontal slinky coils), (2) heat pump unit (compressor, evaporator, condenser), (3) heating/cooling delivery (radiant floor, baseboard, ductwork). Advanced systems include thermal energy storage (tank), desuperheater (water heating), and direct-use geothermal (heating from hot springs).