In the interests of significantly expanding consumer awareness regarding the science, practice and benefits of geothermal-based heating and cooling in North America, Bosch Thermotechnology, a division of Robert Bosch North America, will conduct a wide-ranging public awareness and educational campaign this year centered on geothermal technology and its environmental benefits.

The public campaign is designed to further understanding and acceptance of geothermal technology as an unlimited, renewable form of energy and serve to advance the industry and its dedicated stakeholders — equipment manufacturers, drillers, installing contractors, industry associations, residential home developers and homeowners.

Bosch’s campaign will kick off on April 24, Earth Day 2015, with a dedicated website (www.geothermalday.com) that will feature information and activities relating to geothermal along with an educational video and interactive children’s activities. Tandem social media and public relations efforts will engage stakeholders and consumers in all aspects of geothermal and its benefits in reducing carbon dependence and creating a cleaner, greener, more sustainable world of the future through widespread adoption of geothermal.

Central to the campaign will be Bosch’s engagement with geothermal industry partners and stakeholders in support of its campaign through participation in campaign efforts and in-kind support. While acknowledging its own stake in the industry — Bosch is a manufacturer of geothermal heat pumps since the 1980s — the campaign has a higher purpose: by creating broad new awareness for an industry that remains today at less than 10% market share for all heating-cooling business in North America.  

“At Bosch, in keeping with a core value to advance environmental friendly product solutions worldwide, we certainly do believe in geo and we are committed to it,” says Richard Soper, president of Bosch Thermotechnology Corp. “We see geothermal as an essential form of renewable energy to bequeath to future generations. It’s especially important for this campaign to reach children of school age because they represent our future. We need to instill this awareness in them so they can make geothermal energy tomorrow’s reality.”

Kyle Murray, director of marketing for Bosch Thermotechnology Corp., adds: “The national geothermal campaign is really designed to bring geothermal to the forefront of attention when it comes to renewable energy. To date, it’s been the stepchild of wind and solar in public and governmental awareness but it has the potential to be the most critical of the three renewable forms of energy because it is constant, whereas the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow. Geothermal captures solar energy which is always present in the ground beneath us. Combine geothermal with solar energy and virtually any kind of building can reach zero net energy status.”

Geothermal awareness and acceptance are growing, assisted by high energy prices, a rebounding housing market and increasing consumer preference to reduce carbon dependence in one’s lifestyle. Municipalities are mandating geothermal in both new government buildings and new construction, but in many states geothermal remains to be recognized as a renewable form of energy, eligible for tax credits.

The industry also has been historically restricted by higher upfront costs to install the underground loop heat exchange element, but new solutions to the upfront cost challenge are now emerging. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal ground-source heat pumps are one of the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean and cost-effective space-conditioning systems available. Geothermal systems’ operating costs are 30% to 60% lower in most cases than conventional HVAC systems.

In addition to eliminating direct burning of fossil fuel and providing clean and quiet heating and cooling, geothermal systems can supplement or provide all the heat needed for domestic hot water, hot tubs and swimming pools, saving even more energy. They provide comfortable and quiet heating and cooling and, because no elements of the system are exposed to outside weather conditions, are extremely resilient and typically enjoy a long operational life, improving their payback.   

For more on renewable geothermal energy and geothermal technology, plus national campaign dates and activities, visit www.geothermalday.com.