Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy, simply stated, is heat energy that is extracted from the ground.

While most people think of hot springs and geysers when they hear of geothermal energy, there is another form of geothermal energy (“geoexchange”) that is especially valuable for use in the state of Pennsylvania.

Geoexchange systems use the relatively steady temperature of soil, rock, and groundwater (~50° F in Pennsylvania) as a “thermal reservoir” for providing heat or cooling as needed.

The most common application of this principle is the “geothermal heat pump”, in which heat pumps draw heat from the ground in winter to heat buildings, and deliver heat back into the ground during summer months when they are cooling the building. These systems are much more efficient than traditional heat pumps, and can result in significant energy and cost savings.

However, geothermal heat pumps are more expensive to install than other systems, and a careful analysis is required to determine if your facility would be suitable. Depending on the cost of electricity and other fuels, geothermal heat pumps can be an economical option for many farm applications, including space heating, milk cooling, and hot water generation.