Earth Energy 
Earth energy uses temperatures found in the earth or below water to cool or heat air and water for buildings. For example, a heat pump can extract heat from underneath the ground to heat a building. In the summer, the pump can be reversed to provide air conditioning by moving hot air out of the building and down into the ground.

It's more efficient to use earth energy than it is to use a combustion furnace. That's because it requires less energy to move heat from one place to another than it does to convert one kind of energy into another, which is what a furnace does. Canada uses one-quarter of its total energy consumption on space heating or cooling and water heating or cooling. 

There are more than 30,000 earth energy installations in Canada that are used for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial applications. Earth energy is used widely in northern Europe, especially in the Scandinavian countries, which have adopted the technology quickly. Earth energy is becoming more common in the southern United States where it's used to cool buildings. 

Earth energy systems can also reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. 

Geothermal Energy 
Geothermal energy uses steam or hot water in the earth's crust to power turbines or to heat buildings or water. The earth's crust contains a large amount of energy. The lava that flows from a volcano is a vivid example of the energy in the earth's crust. If the local geography has the right features, geothermal facilities can be installed. The facilities capture steam as it escapes from cracks or holes in underground rocks. Geothermal energy requires a source temperature of more than 100°C to drive a generating turbine.

Hot water from within the earth can heat buildings with no conversion. The famous hot springs in Banff, Alberta are an example of geothermal direct heat at a resort.

Geothermal energy is used widely in the Philippines, Italy, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Japan and China.  Iceland relies on geysers as its principal source of heat. Several northern communities around the world circulate this type of heated water through pipes under roads to melt ice from the pavement, and the water is also used in aquaculture, car washes and similar applications.

In Canada, there is a test geothermal site in the Meager Mountain - Pebble Creek area of British Columbia. A 100 MW electrical facility might be developed at that site after further testing.

Applications of Earth and Geothermal Energy

What is energy in the earth used for?	Who uses energy in the earth?	How is the energy obtained?
Using the earth or bodies of water to provide heating or cooling	residential commercial  industrial	Fluid is channeled through pipes  that are installed in the earth. The fluid passes through a heat pump that exchanges heat.
Diverting water from wells or lakes to provide heating or cooling	residential commercial industrial	Water passes through a heat pump that exchanges heat.
Using steam or hot water in the earth's crust to generate electricity	electrical facilities	Steam or hot water from the earth's crust is used to power turbines.
Using steam or hot water in the earth's crust to heat buildings and water	municipal commercial industrial	Steam or hot water from the earth's crust is passed through pipes to supply heat to a specific location.

Earth energy systems provide the following benefits:
	The operating costs of earth energy systems are much lower than the cost to operate a combustion furnace with an air conditioning unit. However, the cost to install a complete earth energy system can be higher than the cost to install furnace and air conditioning unit. On average, an earth energy system can save two-thirds of the cost to heat and cool with electricity.
	Earth energy can provide heating in winter, cooling in summer, and year-round hot water for home use. A single system performs all necessary functions and requires only a flick of a switch to reverse the unit for a seasonal change.
	An earth energy system can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than two-thirds compared to similar systems that use carbon-based fuel. However, the reductions depend on the source of electricity that is used run the system's components. It is becoming more important to reduce greenhouse gases because of international efforts to reduce global warming and climate change.
	Earth energy systems provide constant low-level heat, which eliminates the need to change thermostats at night. Another benefit is the absence of draughts that are common with conventional forced-air heating systems.
	Earth energy systems do not produce the odour that is found in natural gas, oil or propane furnaces. That makes earth energy systems perfect for highly-insulated buildings or for people who are allergic or sensitive to noxious gases and poor air quality.
	Earth energy systems are located inside a building, which eliminates the adverse effects of nature and any accidents or vandalism, thereby increasing the system's life and efficiency.
	Penetrations through the building's walls or roof increase energy performance and reduce the risk of structural damage.
	Because there is no combustion, earth energy systems cannot explode and there is no need to store fuel. Insurance companies often provide a discount on policies that use earth energy.
	If you install an earth energy system in a commercial or industrial building, you eliminate the need for a flat roof and cooling towers. That allows architects to increase the aesthetic appeal of the building's design.
	Earth energy systems can deliver heat to one room and simultaneously provide cooling to an adjacent room. This is extremely useful in institutional buildings such as schools.
	In commercial or industrial buildings, earth energy systems reduce the need for mechanical space. That allows space to be used for more productive purposes. In many cases, the cost savings from reduced overhead space in the ceiling and the mechanical room can offset any increased cost for the installation of the system.