Geothermal

Geothermal Heat Exchange

CLC's geofield is the heart of our geothermal heat exchange system. This system heats and cools the core buildings on campus by condensing and transferring heat between the buildings and the steady temperatures underground, using geothermal heat pumps.

How does a geofield work?

The wells in the geofield are 500 feet deep. At that depth in this region, the earth’s crust is always 55 degrees Fahrenheit, making it an effective and reliable thermal regulator.

In summer, water transfers heat from the buildings into the deep underground wells. In the winter, the opposite process takes place: the relative heat from the ground is condensed and circulated through the system to heat the buildings.

Geothermal benefits

At CLC: Heating & cooling

CLC’s geothermal heat exchange system provides a comfortable indoor temperature and reduces our energy costs by 50%. Energy intensive chillers and gas-fired furnaces are hardly ever required, as the system draws from the constant 55-degree underground temperature.

In Lake County: Seek efficiency

Heating or cooling your home consumes almost 30% of energy bills, with your water heater, lighting and refrigerators/freezers taking about 10% each. When you replace these appliances, choose more efficient models.

Also, if you have the opportunity, choose geothermal heating and cooling for your next home.

Around the world: Varied uses

Sophisticated mechanical geothermal heat exchange systems were developed in the 1940s. But natural heat exchange systems, such as hot springs, have been part of our communities for 10,000 years. Tectonically active locales can tap underground heat to generate electricity. Both Iceland and the Philippines, for example, rely heavily on flash-steam-generated electricity.