(NAPSA)—Acool wayto save some cold cash canbetoinstall a heating and cooling system that takes solar energy out ofthe ground. Many homeowners whoinstall geo- thermal heating and cooling systems can get utility and state rebates—and even those whodon’t maybeableto get a more comfortable homeatless cost. A geothermal system can save you money year-round—and help save the planet, too. They operate moreefficiently andeconomically thantraditional furnaces, air-source heat pumps orair conditioners. Bysomeestimates, they offer as much benefit when it comes to clean energy generation as windandsolar technology. The mostefficient geothermal heat pumpsystemscandeliver over five dollarsofheating for every dollar of electrical energy used. Thattranslates into reductionsin heating andcoolingbills by as much as70 percent. HowIt Works Geothermal heat pumps take advantageoffree solar energy stored just below the surface of the earth. Using a series of pipes buried in the ground,the system extracts thermal energy, concentrates it, and distributes it throughout the house usingtraditional ductwork or radiantfloor heating. If you install a geothermal heating and cooling system, you may see lowercosts and a cozier home. The system reversesto also cool the house. In that mode, it extracts heat from indoor air andeither movesit back into the earth or into a water tank for hot water—generatingit at three to five timestheefficiency of traditionalgas or electric heaters. You can save onspace as well as money. Geothermal systems, such as those by WaterFurnace—the leading manufacturer of residential, geothermal and wa- ter-source heat pumps—tendto produce more energy per square footthan solar systems while taking up less space. Learn More For furtherfacts andtips, you can visit www.waterfurnace.com.
