Geothermal energy is a great source of renewable energy. It doesn’t really take a toll on the environment and with it, it is possible to for us to use it for heating. But even though things look amazing at first glance, we still need to look at the whole picture and analyze things from every possible point of view. As such, let’s take a look at the advantages and the disadvantages of it:
The Pros of Geothermal Heating
1. It’s Environmentally Friendly
Geothermal energy is pretty much a friend of the environment, since compared to other energy harvesting sources, the pollution created by harvesting geothermal energy is incredibly low. In fact, a geothermal power plant releases an average of one eight of the carbon emissions a coal power plant emits. As such, taking advantage of geothermal heating is environmentally friendly.
2. Renewable Energy Source
Geothermal energy is obtained from natural resources that are naturally replenished and, as such, this is a renewable energy source. Although it doesn’t work like wind power (being endless), geothermal energy is renewable because it is sustainable, – the rate at which we are able to consume it is much lesser than the rate it is generated. According to specialists, the energy we currently have will already last for billions of years, so we can use it for heating without a second thought.
3. Stable Energy Source
Geothermal energy is very reliable, and we can accurately predict the amount of energy a geothermal power plant will be producing. Other renewable energy sources are not as reliable because the weather is a very important factor in the production of energy and we all know how unpredictable the weather can be. As such, you won’t have to worry about your heating bill getting super high for no apparent reason.
The Cons of Geothermal Heating
1. Instability
The construction of geothermal power plants is likely to take a toll on the stability that the land has, and as such, makes it likelier for the earth to have earthquakes on the area around the power plant. In fact, in 1997, the construction of one of these power plants triggered an earthquake in Switzerland.
2. The Cost
The price for building a geothermal power plant that Is able to produce around 1 megawatt ranges from 2-7 million dollars, which is incredibly expensive for the amount of energy it is able to produce. Of course, given the stability of these plants, it is likely that they’ll save us money down the line – the same thing happens with geothermal heating systems, they have high installation costs ( typically these units end up ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 dollars) but end up saving you money in the long run, after a decade or two.
