Tapping into renewable energy

Brent Ernsbarger watches as workers from Evans Energy Development Inc., Paola, Kan., drill one of 13 wells that will provide a steady temperature to the ground-source heat pump that utilizes geothermal energy to heat and cool. The installation is going in at the home of Dan Hope south of Nevada. Ernsbarger said that he suggested the installation because of the size of the dwelling and the tax credits available now. There is a 30 percent tax credit from the government with no limit on the cost. Ernsbarger said that changed his mind about suggesting this type of installation. "I used to not push ground source because of the cost, but with the tax credits it makes a lot more sense," Ernsbarger said. The wells go down 200 feet and are hooked together before entering the house where four units are utilized to heat and cool the house. With the ground source heat pump the liquid takes the heat from the ground, which remains at a constant 55 to 60 degrees, and either heats the air or cools it. Regular heat pumps become ineffective if the air is too cold but ground source heat pumps can function even when the air temperature is below freezing. --Steve Moyer/Daily Mail