If we can all work to reduce our carbon footprint, the planet will be better off in the long run. Another type of energy technology being used to help accomplish this goal is geothermal technology.

Dear EarthTalk: How are heating, cooling and electricity produced by geothermal energy? I don't understand how it works. — Delano Stewart, Wyandanch, N.Y.

In essence geothermal energy is power harnessed from the Earth itself. Heat from the Earth’s core, which averages about 6,650 degrees Fahrenheit, emanates out toward the planet’s surface.

Geothermal systems have been in use since the late 1940s, but it wasn't till the 1970s that they became looked at for being an efficient source of energy.

Researchers are exploring how to pair geothermal with oil and gas sites and use captured carbon dioxide as a feedstock for ...

The major cost savings of a geothermal heat pump system is that there is no need for fuel like natural gas or electricity to heat or cool the air. These systems are generally low maintenance, and ...

Geothermal energy is not just limited to people who live near hot springs; anyone with a yard can tap into the power of geothermal by digging a few feet into their land and installing a fuel-free ...

Geothermal systems have two main elements: an electric heat pump inside the home, and ground loops dug into the garden (Dandelion’s go down about 500 feet).