This article can be filed under the Do-It-Yourself section. The article explains how a geothermal heating system works and what the advantages are.

Geothermal Heating

Heat from the Earth
Within the past few decades, geothermal heating has quietly become a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly method of heating a home. Geothermal heat pumps offer extremely high efficiency and a low operating cost, saving their owners up to 70 percent on heating costs. Geothermal heating and cooling systems are now readily available to homeowners, and can be easily installed by any qualified HVAC systems contractor.

A Clever System
How does geothermal heating work? Geothermal heat pumps use the more or less constant temperature of the earth as a source for heating or cooling your home. A series of pipes, connected to a heat pump, are filled with a liquid that flows in a loop between the earth and your home.

The pump removes the heat that the liquid has picked up from the earth, and the liquid is recycled through the system. In this way, the constantly circulating liquid continually supplies the heat pump, and subsequently your home, with a steady supply of heat. During the summer, this process can be reversed to cool down your home, making the geothermal pump a complete HVAC system.

Why Go Geothermal?
In the long run, a geothermal heat pump system is sure to save you money over other HVAC systems. Although the initial cost of installation may be significantly higher than conventional systems, owners of geothermal systems generally save more than they spent within 5-10 years. In addition, geothermal heating systems are environmentally friendly, allowing households to reduce their carbon footprint and help prevent global warming and pollution. Finally, geothermal heating is low maintenance, and can be used for both heating and cooling, maintaining your home at an optimum temperature.

Source: http://www.guidetohomeimprovement.com/heatac/servicearticle/geothermal-heating.jsp