From The Ground Up

High desert climates are perfect for ground-source heating and cooling systems. Whether you’re currently using natural gas or propane, it’s several times more efficient to heat your home with heat pump technology. 

How It Works

Ground-source, or geo-exchange, systems use the stable temperature of the earth to either heat or cool your home. First, water is circulated through a network of underground pipes to absorb heat from the earth. Then, a heat pump is used to extract energy from the water for space heating. A heat pump is basically a refrigeration cycle that moves heat energy from the ground into the building’s heating system. In the summer months, the loop can operate in reverse, where heat is rejected into the ground, thereby cooling the household.

 Additional Information

• Department of Energy Website:  Basic information on geothermal heat pump technology
• DOE Economic Report: In-depth report that covers ground source market, economics, and outlook
• International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA)