Water well drilling facts and figures

Here are some interesting facts and figures on water and well drilling from our Faribault well drilling experts:

Water

• Water expands by 9% when it freezes
• Only about 1% of all water can be used for all of our needs. The rest is either trapped in ice caps or too salty or undrinkable. 
• The same amount of water is available as when the earth formed. 
• The average person can live for only about a week without water. 
• The average U.S. resident uses about 50 gallons of water per day. 
• The quality of water is influenced by natural factors (rock, gravel, sand, etc.) and pollution (agriculture, aquifer protection, etc.). 
• Approximately half of all household water is used outside for lawn and garden care.
• The bathroom is where the most water is used inside the home.
• The United States consumes twice the rate of other industrialized nations.

Water Well Drilling

• Your well be protected against all types of contamination with a properly sealed cap.
• "Smelly" water is often the result of sulfur, which can also corrode your plumbing. 
• Studies have found most would prefer to have their own private well. 
• A properly constructed well can be an asset to your property. 
• Your well won't go dry from using too much water.
• "Rusty" wells are usually the result of iron/manganese in the groundwater.

Some figures: 

• 1.2 billion: People without access to clean water. 
• 6.8 billion: The number of gallons American flush down the toilet every day. 
• 80: Percentage of fresh water used for irrigation crops and thermoelectric generation. 
• 8.34 pounds: The amount one gallon of water weighs. 
• 4,000: Number of gallons of water evaporated off one acre of a corn field.

Well Drilling: Why NOT To DIY

It's no secret that costs are going up, and it's smart to save money wherever you can. So, instead of hiring professionals, we might instead do the job ourselves to hold on to the cash. Maybe we handwash our car instead of going through an automated one. Or maybe we eat meals at home more instead of going out.

However, there are some things that no matter the cost, we should get a professional to handle. Doctors are a good example. But, what about well drilling? Should you seek out a professional Scott County well drilling company or go it alone? As we discussed a while back in an article, it's better to hire a pro than trying to do it alone:

Accidents can happen when you fix a sink, but a sink is just a tiny percentage when compared to a well. It's wise to be frugal and practical, but you should not skimp when it comes to drilling or repairing your well.

Well drilling take a lot of know how and the right machinery. You'll have to know where to dig, how far to dig, what to do once the well is dug and so on. It might seem easy enough, but there is far more to it than just that digging and "putting in" a well.

Read the entire article: "Well Drilling: Why It's Best to Work with a Well Drilling Company."

Why You Should Jump on the Geothermal Energy Bandwagon

Geothermal is booming. More and more homeowners are choosing to outfit their homes with a geothermal heating and cooling system instead of one powered by traditional energy source. We wrote an article a while back detailing why you should think about jumping on the geothermal bandwagon and noted:

There are even economic benefits to supporting the geothermal movement. As geothermal energy takes off and becomes more used, it could add many jobs to the economy, and encourage economic growth.

It's more imperative, more than ever, that we support our local businesses and industries. The Minneapolis geothermal sector is booming, thanks to a great amount of geothermal energy under the Minnesota surface. By using geothermal energy, you're cutting down your home's energy costs, helping to save the planet and supporting your local economy.

Read the entire article: "Geothermal: Why You Should Hop on the Geothermal Energy Bandwagon."

More Geothermal Facts

Geothermal heating and cooling systems can help turn your home into an energy-efficient abode; one that cuts down on the use of traditional energy, instead opting for the energy that already exists beneath the surface of the earth. But do you know how this energy is created, and where it comes from? Here are some facts about geothermal energy.

Soaking up the sun. The sun, the closest star to earth and the center of our solar system, is constantly transmitting solar energy. The earth's atmosphere absorbs approximately 20% of this energy, while 30% is reflected away. Around 50% of this thermal energy is absorbed by the earth's surface and stored beneath the ground. Traveling just a few feet below the surface of the earth, you'll find a temperature that's consistent nearly year round, thanks to this stored energy. This is what geothermal heating and cooling systems take advantage of.

Highly efficient. Geothermal systems, unlike traditional heating and cooling systems, do not need to burn fossil fuels or large amounts of electricity to operate. Instead, these systems are only moving heat. The amount of electricity needed to run the pump and circulators of a geothermal system is approximately a fifth of the geothermal energy transferred by the system.

Interested in learning more about how Minneapolis geothermal heating and cooling can benefit your home? Contact Hartmann Well Drilling today at (952) 758-2202.

Geothermal Featured in Wall Street Daily

Popular investment blog Wall Street Daily published an article yesterday about geothermal energy and its potential for growth as an alternative energy source. In fact, current system development would add 9 gigawatts of geothermal capacity to the planet. In the past 30 years, the world only managed to add 11 gigawatts. Geothermal is definitely growing in use, evidenced the most by the fact that energy from geothermal sources doubled solar power and wind power combined.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems are experiencing growth, too. These systems, which use the constant temperature beneath the earth's surface to heat water in pipe loops, can help homeowners cut down on traditional energy usage. This keeps more money in your pocket and can help the environment by reducing the output from fossil fuels.

Thinking about having a Minneapolis geothermal heating & cooling system installed in your home? You can get a FREE geothermal estimate from Hartmann by completing our online form. You can also give us a call at (952) 758-2202.

Pros of Geothermal Energy

Traditional energy usage continues to rise, and the cost of fossil fuels has gone up, as well. In a situation like this, any energy that exists naturally and can be harnessed to lower energy bills while still keeping homes comfortable is a welcome development. Fortunately, this very power exists in geothermal energy.

What are some of the benefits of geothermal energy? First off, if you're big on saving the environment, using geothermal energy means the energy you're utilizing is almost completely emissions free. Another is consistency -- geothermal isn't subject to the fluctuations that you might experience with solar power (only available when the sun is out without cloud cover) or wind (which depends on, well, wind). And, unlike fossil fuels, there is a virtually limitless amount of geothermal energy.

Ready to install a geothermal heating and cooling system in your home? Call Minneapolis geothermal company Hartmann Well Drilling today at (952) 758-2202.

Nebraska County Courthouse Sees Big Savings Thanks to Geothermal

Are you on the fence about having a geothermal system installed in your home because you don't know if you'll really see a significant savings in your energy bills? Here's a story that might help convince you.

A courthouse in Gage County, Nebraska was outfitted with a geothermal heating and cooling system in 2009. Prior to that, the County was spending $35,263 a year in energy costs for the courthouse. After the installation of the geothermal system, Gage County was able to cut that amount by an average of $11,400 annually. Over three years, the County will save approximately $34,202.

Hartmann Well Drilling is a Minneapolis geothermal heating and cooling installer that can help you save on your energy bills. Get a free estimate today by calling us at (952) 758-2202.