Geothermal heat pumps are an efficient alternative to traditional HVAC systems. They work by exchanging heat with the more stable underground temperatures via a buried heat exchange system, allowing them to heat and cool homes using less energy. This can reduce heating and cooling costs by 30-40% compared to HVAC. Geothermal heat pumps are also quieter, more durable, and do not emit toxic gases like traditional HVAC systems. However, some people report that the savings are not as high as expected or have issues with maintenance.

1. Hinako Osumi

2. Introduction
 Maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature can use
up to half of your home’s energy.
 That means green technologies that can help reduce
your heating and cooling bills will have some of the
quicker returns on investment.

3. Explanation
 If you have central heating and air in your home, the
way it maintains the temperature is by exchanging air
inside of your house and with the air outside.
 In the summer, your HVAC unit pumps out hot air as it
cools the air inside, and in the winter it takes heat
from outside and transfers it into your home.

4. What is HVAC?
 Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning-three
closely related fundamental functions found in
homes, offices, and other building structures.
 Heating-significant in maintaining adequate room
temp. during colder weather conditions.
 Ventilation-making sure that people are inhaling fresh
air.
 AC-controls the heat as well as ventilation.

5. Geothermal Heat Pumps
 HVAC explained in the previous slide is not the most
efficient system, since in summer the outside air is hotter
than you want and in winter it’s usually much colder.
 A geothermal heat pump works the same way, but its heat
exchange apparatus is buried underground, where
temperatures are a lot more stable.
 Geothermal heat pumps are among the most efficient and
comfortable heating and cooling technologies currently
available, because they use the earth’s natural heat to
provide heating, cooling, and often, water heating.

6. More Advantages
 Efficiency: Geothermal heat pump can might cost you
more in the beginning for installation, but it can
reduce your heating and cooling costs by as much as 30
to 40 percent.
 Speed: It works a lot quieter than a conventional HVAC
system.
 Durability: Lasts longer than HVAC.

7. How Can It Solve Current Global
Issues?
 This system does not consume tons of energies
compared to ordinal HVAC units.
 The system lasts longer and does not expose any toxic
material into the Earth’s atmosphere.

8. Comments
 “it definitely has potential, but the systems are still not
well understood by the general public, causing a
backlash when they encounter the trade-offs”
 “my geothermal system doesn’t save me as much
money as I thought”
 “I’m always having trouble with it”

9. Citation
 http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-
improvement/construction/green/10-green-
technologies-for-home4.htm
 http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find
_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=HP
 http://www.toolbase.org/technology-
inventory/hvac/geothermal-heat-pumps
 http://www.toolbase.org/Home-Building-
Topics/Energy-Efficiency/Bob-Schmitt-Homes

10. The End!!!