What is the primary function of geothermal heat pumps?

Geothermal heat pumps leverage the relatively stable temperatures found underground to provide heating and cooling for homes. These systems take advantage of the consistent temperature of the earth below the frost line, which remains fairly constant throughout the year.

In winter, the heat pump extracts warmth from the ground and transfers it into the home, while in summer, it reverses the process, pulling heat from the indoor space and transferring it back into the ground to keep the home cool. This method of temperature regulation is highly efficient and reduces the reliance on traditional HVAC systems, leading to energy savings.

The alternative choices reflect different energy technologies that do not pertain to the operation of geothermal heat pumps. Solar panels focus on harnessing sunlight, while wind energy generation involves converting wind kinetic energy into electricity. Tidal energy, on the other hand, involves capturing energy from tidal movements, which is unrelated to the concept of utilizing ground temperatures for heating and cooling purposes.