Geothermal Basics

What is a Geothermal System?
Geothermal systems are an alternative way to heat and cool buildings efficiently. Instead of
burning fossil fuels, which can be costly and harmful to the environment, geothermal systems
use the natural energy of the earth to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

How do they work?
Throughout the year, outdoor temperatures fluctuate with the changing seasons. However, underground
temperatures do not. In fact, about four to six feet below the earth's surface, temperatures remain
relatively constant year round. A geothermal system, which consists of an indoor unit and a buried
earth loop, capitalizes on these constant temperatures. In the winter, fluid circulating throughout
the system's earth loop absorbs stored heat and carries it indoors. The indoor unit compresses the heat
to a higher temperature and distributes it throughout the building. In the summer, the system reverses,
pulling heat from the building, carrying it through the earth loop and depositing it in the cooler earth.

How efficient is a Geothermal System?
A geothermal system is three to four times more efficient than the most efficient ordinary system. Because
geothermal systems do not burn fossil fuels to make heat, they provide three to four unites of energy for
every one unit used to power the system.

Integrated Geothermal Systems in Recreational Facilities
Ice Arenas
Even when it's very cold outside, heat needs to be extracted from the surface of the ice to maintain the
skating surface. This heat can be captured and used to heat the building, warm the spectator seats, provide
snow melt on the outside sidewalks or heat a building next door. If it can't be used, the heat is stored in
the earth loop around the building, ready to be used when needed. Instead of spending money to get rid of
the heat you take out of the ice and then using more energy to heat the building, the geothermal system recycles
the heat inside the building. It leaves more of the budget to promote the rink and skating programs and it's a
lot better for the environment. Integrated Systems can get up to 7 units of energy for each unit of electricity purchased.