How much do you know about Geothermal energy?  Yeah, me too! With all the talk about going green creeping into the real estate world, Geothermal energy is a term we are bound to hear more and more about. Here's to taking our "green" education a step further!

I have recently been marketing a new condo project that has been created in a renovated building. In learning about the project I was told that the developer had tapped into an underground water source to create Geothermal energy in the new development. Having heard the term, but not being well versed on the topic, I thought I should educate myself before trying to explain it to prospective buyers. I learned some very interesting and exciting facts!

Geothermal energy is a process that transfers heat stored below ground through buried fluid-filled loops of pipe to an indoor pump. In the winter a heat exchanger can extract two thirds or more of the energy needed from the earth to warm the home through the ground. Only one-third or less of the energy needed is purchased power, primarily used to run the pump. This process is reversed in the summer, carrying heat back to the ground through the ground loop piping. 

Geothermal temperature control systems can save homeowners money on their utility bills -around 70% for heat and up to 50% for cooling. How exciting is that! I'll bet you have clients who would love to have info on saving 70% off their utility bill! These systems are endorsed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA.  

If you are interested in educating your homebuyers, or becoming more informed yourself,  about these and other green sources one good website is www.greenbuilder.com.