Posted: Oct 1, 2012 9:11 PM by Karl Roskamp Updated: Oct 1, 2012
9:59 PM COLUMBIA - What is a group of Columbia residents doing
that 95 percent of Americans are not? An intentional community
dubbed Terra Nova, which prides itself on ecologically friendly
living, found the answer under their feet. Terra Nova uses
ground source heating to cover all their heating and cooling
needs. "We can keep the thermostat at any temperature we like
year round," Terra Nova member Claire Garden said. Ground source
heating, unlike geothermal heating, does not rely on the Earth's
core for heat; instead, it uses groundwater or soil to provide
the heating and cooling. The process doesn't just provide heat
and air conditioning; it does so efficiently. "Ground source
heat pumps statistically have been documented to probably be the
most efficient investment you can make in terms of energy," O2
Geothermal partner Jim Oakley said, who installed ground source
heating for his own home. "Your largest loads in your house for
energy usage a