Increasing energy costs have many homeowners looking for new ways to save money. According to the Department of Energy, the average homeowner pays about $1,900 a year on utilities, most of it going toward heating and cooling bills. A growing number of homeowners are finding savings in their own back yards by utilizing the earth’s natural energy to heat and cool their homes. It’s called geothermal energy — and it can save you some green while you’re going green. Geothermal systems — also known as ground source heat pump systems (GSHPS) or geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) have been around for decades but are just now coming to the attention of many homeowners. The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency have both endorsed ground source heat pump systems as among the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly heating, cooling and water heating systems available. How It Works The temperature of the earth — from a few feet to hundreds of feet down — is moderate and fairly constant. In many places it stays in the mid- to upper-50s all year. Instead of burning fossil fuels, a geothermal heat pump absorbs the energy stored in the earth to heat a home in the winter. In the summertime a heat pump rejects the heat from the space and transfers it back into the earth — making it extremely efficient and cost-effective. To make it work, you need three basic elements: an underground loop system, a geothermal heat pump, and an air-delivery system. —Loop System: This is a system of high-density polyethylene plastic pipes buried in the ground. They are filled with fluid, a mixture of water and antifreeze, that circulates throughout the pipes. Open-loop systems circulate water drawn from a well. —Geothermal Heat Pump: The geothermal heat pump extracts heat from the fluid within the loop. This heat is then sent into the home. In the summer, it extracts heat from the indoor air and transfers it to the fluid, which cools as it circulates through the loop. —Air-delivery System: Most geothermal pumps use an electrically driven fan to distribute the air through ducts in the home. A residential system can also be equipped to heat household water, as well. According to the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association, a geothermal system has efficiencies 50 to 70 percent higher than other heating systems, and cooling efficiencies 20 to 40 percent higher than available air conditioners. That means direct savings on home utility bills. How It Saves You Money According to Bosch Thermotechnology North America: —Geothermal heat pumps have the lowest life cycle cost today — 25 to 50 percent less than a conventional system. —You can save up to 70 percent on your energy bill, depending on location and which GSHPS you use. —Although the upfront costs are often more than a conventional system, the cost can be recouped within a short period of time — as little as 5 to 7 years. ——There are state, local, utility and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Look up rebates, tax credits and financing options in your area at the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency — www.dsireusa.org. Whether you’re looking to build a new, more energy-efficient home, or want to cut back your utility bills on your current home, consider exploring ways you can use the energy Mother Nature has in your own yard. Learn more at www.bosch-climate.us.