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 geothermal 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 needed on the heat pump, but the loop system will be fine for decades, provided it has been installed correctly.
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 therefore 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 surroundings.
It has the potential to help save a lot of money.
- In the long run, geothermal energy will save us money. Once a geothermal energy system is installed, it costs very little to maintain, but 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” source of energy is not only worth it, but will undoubtedly be worth 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 also save you a lot of money in the long run.
Harmless
- Using a geothermal heat pump is incredibly safe (when installed correctly by a qualified specialist). You don’t have to worry about poisoning yourself with dangerous gases like carbon monoxide, and it won’t catch fire like a wood stove, won’t explode like natural gas or propane, and doesn’t emit dangerous gases. radiation.
Constant rate of electrical energy
- One of the main problems with alternative green energy solutions tends to be that they are somewhat unreliable. It may not blow, the sun may not shine (especially at night), and the ocean may be calm with few waves. But, fortunately, this is not the case with geothermal power and 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 temperature of 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 endless supply of energy. The power source will probably never run out, not in a million years, and probably not even in a billion years, and it’s available at all times, never turning off or failing 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 hot water heaters, but would just depend on the location.
Part 2: The Bad
Start-up 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 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 cannot be installed in a garden the size of a garden in a city house, at least not with loops horizontal. 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 drawback of the geothermal heat pump and yet should be taken into account when deciding if a geothermal heat pump system is the way to go. The amount of electricity is not really that much, but if it is disconnected from the network, it should definitely be taken into account.