Literally, geothermal energy is heat from the earth. Not as well-known as wind, water, or solar energy, geothermal energy features the same advantages. Classified as a renewable energy, its production emits neither green house gas nor pollutants.
How does geothermal energy work?
From a ground loop system, a heat pump extracts heat from the earth and redistributes it through the home. The resources drawn from the earth each day are unending.
Heat is either collected horizontally, if land area allows it (it must represent between 100 and 150% of the size of the house), or vertically, by a geothermal probe (depth of 60 cm in Ile-de-France). The heat pump is installed in a confined space, a garage, or utility room.
What kind of energy savings are possible?
Energy collected from the earth is free, only the heat pump’s compressor consumes electricity. All you need is an electricity supplier and a service contract with the company that installed the system. For every watt consumed, 4 are recovered. Your heating bill will consequently be divided by 4. Some models are reversible for cooling systems in summer.
Precautions to be taken
Avoid cementing or planting trees above the collection system. Bushes and flowers however pose no problem.
Tax relief
- A professional installation of a geothermal system between 01/01/2005 and 31/12/2009 is eligible for a tax credit of 50% on the cost of materials, tax included (labour excluded). The work must concern the principal residence.
- The HIA (Home Improvement Agency) distributes, subject to conditions of eligibility, € 1 800 grants for geothermal ground loop heating systems. This incentive applies to homes over 15 years old. For more information, visit the site: www.anah.fr.
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