Geothermal Energy Equipment
The word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo, which means earth, and therme, which means heat. So, geothermal energy is defined as the heat from within the earth. Steam and hot water inside the earth surface can be used to generate electricity. Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source because the water is replenished by rainfall and the heat is continuously produced inside the earth.
Geothermal energy has three main uses, these are: Direct Use and District Heating Systems, Electricity generation, and geothermal heat pumps. Direct Use and District Heating uses hot water from springs or reservoirs near the surface. Electricity generation in a power plant requires water or steam at very high temperature. Geothermal heat pumps use stable ground or water temperatures near the earth's surface to control building temperatures above ground.
Geothermal energy equipment come in different forms and specific uses. Geothermal heat pumps use the Earth's constant temperatures to heat and cool buildings. They transfer heat from the ground into buildings in winter and reverse the process in the summer. Geothermal HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems are among the most energy efficient systems available. Geothermal HVAC systems provide a mechanism for transferring heat in the winter and cool in the summer from the ground to your house.
Electric air-to-air heat pumps are basically reversible air conditioners. They move heat from the air in one location to the air in another. Most heat pumps deliver conditioned air to the home using ductwork, through-the-wall systems. Geothermal systems are best suited for large applications.