After recovering from the shock of receiving your utility bill, you might be interested in alternative energy sources. Let’s consider the advantages of geothermal energy.

Advantages of Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source because it a continuous power source that would otherwise be slowly exhausted over time. At its most basic, geothermal energy is really nuclear energy. Geothermal energy is produced as a byproduct of the processes going on at the core of the Earth. Scientists generally agree that the core of the earth is a super dense nuclear reactor which produces heat and a magnetic field as byproducts. Without either of these resources, life would not exist on earth. A lack of heat would leave us looking like Pluto. A lack of a magnetic field would result in solar radiation that sun block just couldn’t handle.

An additional advantage of geothermal energy is it is very flexible at the residential level. Heat pumps and thermal energy storage systems provide both heating and cooling, so places with hot summers and large air-conditioning needs find the systems more advantageous.

Unlike solar panels, geothermal systems typically do not impact the appearance of a home. By definition, the systems involve the placement of piles or coils five feet under ground. Since they rarely have to be dug up, landscaping can be placed over the coils and no one is the wiser. Well, you are when your utility bills drop dramatically.

The environmental benefits of geothermal heating systems depend largely on how the electricity to run the pumps is generated; the benefits are greatest if the electricity is generated from a renewable source such as hydro or wind, lowest if the electricity comes from a coal-fired generating station. With renewable electricity, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by up to 75 per cent compared to conventional heating and cooling systems.


One of the biggest advantages of geothermal energy is it compares favorably with traditional fossil fuels. Fossil fuels produce massive amounts of pollution. Geothermal does not. Fossil fuels are becoming harder to find. Geothermal will always be available. Fossil fuels, such as oil, are not readily available throughout the world, which gives rise to wars and such. Geothermal energy is available in every country.

Is geothermal energy going to become the dominant energy source in the world? Probably not. It is difficult to use in certain applications, such as cars. For large scale energy production and home climate control, however, the advantages of geothermal energy should be obvious.