New Book Explains Geothermal Heating and Cooling for Homeowners (May 2011)

MASONVILLE, COLORADO - Spring 2011 By tapping into earth's free energy, geothermal heat pumps can save homeowners thousands of dollars every year and yet this proven technology is often ignored or misunderstood. Now a new book, The Smart Guide to Geothermal, explains in everyday terms how we -- builders, architects and homeowners--can use these reliable, silent, non-polluting heating and cooling systems.

According to the EPA, geothermal heat pump (GHP) systems are "the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective" space-conditioning systems available.

GHPs can be installed in new homes or retrofit into existing HVAC systems. The ground loops can be in horizontal or vertical configurations, but the key to a successful installation is in finding an experienced contractor. The Smart Guide to Geothermal addresses all of these concerns along with costs, payback issues, and increased home values.

Homeowner profiles provide examples of who is using geothermal and the broader global outlook demonstrates where this technology is headed. For those wanting greater energy independence, a chapter on incorporating solar electricity to run the heat pumps is also included.

Woven throughout the book are author Don Lloyd's firsthand experiences and the knowledge gained from living with a geothermal system. "From my personal experience of installing a geothermal heat pump in our home, I've found that although many people had heard about geothermal, they did not understand the facts," says Lloyd. "This book will give homeowners a better foundation for making their own decisions and encourage them to adopt this superior method of heating and cooling."

A New York homeowner recently told the author, "This book has helped give me the knowledge and confidence to move forward. It took geothermal from something too good to be true to something too good to ignore."

Industry professionals (construction, HVAC, geothermal) will find this book and its numerous illustrations a helpful tool when educating their customers, especially the science and technology section on how geothermal heat pumps work.

The comprehensive appendix has a wealth of resources (residential GHP manufacturers, state energy offices, FAQs, etc.) plus a career section for anyone wishing to enter the geothermal industry, one of the many green energy sectors in need of qualified workers.

The Smart Guide to Geothermal: How to Harvest Earth's Free Energy for Heating & Cooling
by Donal Blaise Lloyd ($19.95; ISBN 978-0-9773724-8-5; 192 pages) is published by PixyJack Press (www.PixyJackPress.com).