USING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY TO HEAT OUR HOMES

Over 500 gravity measurements were made at closely spaced intervals (1.6 – 3.2 km) in western New York to construct a simple Bouguer gravity map of the area. The gravity map indicates a large north-south trending gravity low extending from western New York into Lake Ontario. Basement samples and extrapolation of geology of the Precambrian Canadian Shield suggest this gravity low is due to a granitic body in the basement in western New York.

In 1981, Hodge discovered that high temperature gradients and heat flow occur in the same area. Radioactive elements like uranium are concentrated in granite. This common rock leads in radioactive heat production and could possibly contribute to the high temperature gradients in the area. The total mass of granite in the area is estimated is 1.240 x 10²⁰ gms and each gm produces 300 ergs of thermal energy per year so 3.7020 x 10²² ergs of thermal energy is produced in the area per year.

Geothermal energy offers homes a way to heat their homes. The demand for geothermal heat is increasing with the advent of geothermal pumps however the initial costs are high (7500.00). As costs are reduced, geothermal energy may be the means by which we solve our energy crisis by heating our homes with geothermal energy.