Geothermal exchange systems are designed to use the earth's stored energy in the form of water below the surface, always at a constant temperature of approximately 55 degrees, as an energy source to provide heating or cooling for a variety of media including building heat and cooling, domestic hot water, and pool heaters.
     The commercial systems are designed most often using vertical wells, the quantity and depth of which are determined by the required building load or equipment capacities.  It is not unusual to have four to six 1,500 foot deep wells to accommodate the heat pump equipment being installed to satisfy the load requirements.   The initial installation costs are higher than most conventional installations, but the lower operating costs will offset these expenses.  Oftentimes rebate programs offered by utility companies will help to offset these initial costs.