| The concept of geothermal energy dates back to | | | | rely on external source of air. This means that the air |
| the time when Romans were able to successfully | | | | inside your home is kept clean and free of pollutants, |
| harness the earth's natural energy for heating their | | | | pollens and harmful elements. This is the main reason |
| baths. Historical records are awash with evidences | | | | why geothermal energy was dubbed as the most |
| proving that early civilizations have used the heat | | | | environmentally-sensitive and energy efficient air |
| that emanates from the earth to cook or heat their | | | | conditioning system. |
| food. Today, geothermal energy offers a practical | | | | Another advantage of ground source types of heat |
| option in cooling and heating our homes. This is not | | | | pump systems is that they are 50 to 70% more |
| just an alternative energy source that is easy on the | | | | efficient than other types of heating systems. They |
| pocket but also friendly to the environment. | | | | are also 20 to 40% more efficient than other air |
| Modern geothermal systems which are sometimes | | | | conditioning systems. On both aspects, geothermal |
| referred to as ground-source heat pumps rely on the | | | | based heating system is the more practical option. |
| natural heat of the earth in heating or cooling the | | | | The use of geothermal energy easily translates to |
| building or home interior. The first generation of heat | | | | 60% savings in energy cost. Provincial power utilities |
| pump systems of this type went into operation | | | | are strongly recommending for homeowners to |
| during the 1940s. The main drawback of this early | | | | switch to this alternative energy source. For instance, |
| generation of geothermal systems is their steep | | | | Manitoba Hydro has launched their own support |
| price. It also required a large land area for its | | | | program to encourage homeowners to set up their |
| installation. This is the main reason why it was never | | | | own geothermal systems. The program offers |
| considered as a viable option for commercial use. | | | | homeowners with loans up to a maximum amount of |
| With the rising cost of fossil-based fuels, renewable | | | | $15,000 to support the installation of geothermal |
| and non-conventional sources of energy are | | | | systems in homes. |
| becoming viable alternatives. Major players and | | | | Based on current power rates, homeowners will be |
| stakeholders in the energy and power generation | | | | able to recover their initial investment in setting up |
| sector are now looking for ways in fine-tuning | | | | their own ground source heating system in about 8 |
| geothermal technology. There are now advanced | | | | to 10 years. On the other hand, if the heating |
| applications that can be used in delivering and | | | | system will be financed under the Manitoba Loan |
| harnessing geothermal energy in a more efficient and | | | | program, total investment can be recovered in 15 |
| cost-effective manner. Modern heat pumps can now | | | | years. In fact, there will be instances where the |
| be easily set up. With these developments and | | | | amount you will save in terms of reduced energy |
| enhancements in the system, you can now consider | | | | cost will be enough to pay for the loan. |
| this system as a viable alternative not only for | | | | Considering the advantages that ground source |
| commercial use but also for home use. | | | | heating systems offer to homeowners, it is just but |
| Staunch advocates of clean energy rank geothermal | | | | logical and practical for you to seriously consider one |
| energy high in their list of alternative energy sources. | | | | for your home. If we take into account other |
| If you use geothermal energy, you help reduce the | | | | intangibles, then there is no question that going |
| amount of toxic emission in our atmosphere. | | | | geothermal is not just an alternative but the standard |
| Geothermal system is also a healthy and safe cooling | | | | in the way we are going to power up our homes. |
| and heating option for your home since it does not | | | | |