Negatives of Using Geothermal For Your Home
Using the inherent heat in the ground, geothermal, is being
pushed by many experts as a great energy source. While this is
generally true, there are some negatives as well.
There is no disputing that we need to wean ourselves off of
fossil fuels. While alternative energy sources are clearly the
answer, there is a problem. Advocates of alternative energy tend
to become emotionally attached to one source and discount
others. In truth, the answer to replacing fossil fuels is a
combination of alternative energy platforms. Let's take a look
at the problems associated with geothermal energy.
First and foremost, there is an economic problem with using
ground energy. Geothermal systems can be very pricey. Although
prices vary by brand and location, installing a geothermal
system in a building or residence will almost always cost more
than a traditional heating and cooling system.
Familiarity is an additional problem. Much like owning an exotic
car, a geothermal system is unique. If it breaks or has
problems, getting it repaired can be difficult and expensive.
Unlike with a plumbing problem, you are probably not going to be
able to call a geothermal repairman in the middle of the night
when the systems stops working.
In a rather grim bait and switch, many people fail to realize
that some geothermal systems actually use fossil fuels. To use
geothermal energy, a residence must often already have
electricity to run the pumps or mechanisms that transfer
geothermal heat from the ground to the home. Spending $50 a
month to run your system more or less defeats the purpose.
Finally, geothermal heating systems for houses use liquid to
transfer heat to and from the ground. This liquid is often a
refrigerant of some type, which can be toxic. On the other hand,
systems using water do not have this problem.
Overall, geothermal is definitely a part of the solution to
fossil fuels. Advocates, however, need to acknowledge it is not
the end all solution.