There are Two Ways to Harness the Earth's Energy

Open Loop

Water is pumped into a building from a water well, pond or lake and returned to surface water or an injection well.

Closed Loop

A grid of pipes is installed in horizontal trenches, vertical boreholes, a pond or a lake; a water solution is pumped through the pipes and back into the building.

Heating and Cooling with Heat Pumps

An electric Heat Pump is used to concentrate the energy in the fluid from the earth, using similar technology to refrigerators.

Winter Heating

• Heat is collected from the earth and brought to the Heat Pump.
• The Heat Pump concentrates the heat, and supplies it to the building at 45°C.
• For every kW of electricity used, the Heat Pump produces 3 to 4.5 kW of heat (300-450% Efficiency).

Summer Air Conditioning

• Heat is removed from the building by the Heat Pump, and transfered to the earth.
• The cooler temperature of the earth is transfered to the building for air conditioning.
• Air conditioning with a Heat Pump consumes 50% to 70% less electricty than conventional air conditioning systems.

You can see a video produced by Manitoba Hydro, describing How Geothermal Technology Works.