The public campaign is designed to further understanding and acceptance of geothermal technology as an unlimited, renewable form of energy and serve to advance the industry and its dedicated stakeholders – equipment manufacturers, drillers, installing contractors, industry associations, residential home developers and homeowners. It will culminate in a national day of recognition for geothermal scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2015.
The campaign’s centerpiece is a dedicated website (www.GeothermalDay.com) which features information and activities relating to geothermal along with an educational video and interactive children’s activities. Tandem social media and public relations outreach efforts will engage stakeholders and consumers in all aspects of geothermal and its benefits. Widespread adoption of geothermal technology in the years ahead will reduce carbon dependence and help create a cleaner and more sustainable world of the future, benefiting future generations.
The GeothermalDay.com website features these elements:
- Geothermal 101 video
- Introduction to geothermal technology
- Geothermal features and benefits
- Information & guidance for homebuyers & homeowners
- Industry professionals section
- Homebuilder-property developer section
- Kids Loop section of fun materials and activities (Ages 5-13)
- Parents & educators section
- List of resources
Bosch’s Commitment to Geothermal
Bosch’s is engaging with geothermal industry partners and stakeholders in support of its campaign through participation in campaign efforts and in-kind support. While acknowledging its own stake in the industry – Bosch is a manufacturer of ground and water-source heat pumps used in geothermal applications – the campaign has a higher purpose: to create broad new awareness for an industry that remains today at less than 10% market share for all heating-cooling business in North America.
“At Bosch, in keeping with a core value to advance environmental friendly product solutions worldwide, we certainly do believe in geo and we are committed to it,” says Vitor Gregorio, President of Bosch Thermotechnology Corp. “This website concentrates more information about geothermal than is currently available elsewhere, and as the campaign advances we will be adding more elements.”
“We are reaching out to young people with this effort because we see geothermal as an essential form of renewable energy to bequeath to future generations,” he added. “It’s especially important for this campaign to reach children of school age because they represent our future. We need to instill this awareness in them so they can make geothermal energy tomorrow’s reality.”
The State of the Geothermal Industry
Geothermal awareness and acceptance are growing, assisted by high energy prices, a rebounding housing market and increasing consumer preference to reduce carbon dependence in one’s lifestyle. Municipalities are mandating geothermal in both new government buildings and new construction, but in many states geothermal remains to be recognized as a renewable form of energy, eligible for tax credits.
The industry has also been historically restricted by higher up front costs to install the underground loop heat exchange element, but new solutions to the upfront cost challenge are now emerging. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), geothermal ground-source heat pumps are one of the most energy efficient, environmentally clean and cost-effective space conditioning systems available. Geothermal systems’ operating costs are 30% to 60% lower in most cases than conventional HVAC systems.
In addition to eliminating direct burning of fossil fuel and providing clean and quiet heating and cooling, geothermal systems can also supplement or provide all the heat needed for domestic hot water, hot tubs and swimming pools, saving even more energy. They provide comfortable and quiet heat and cooling and, because no elements of the system are exposed to outside weather conditions, are extremely resilient and typically enjoy a long operational life, improving their payback.
For more on renewable geothermal energy and geothermal technology, visit www.GeothermalDay.com.