Re: theWatt Podcast 73

At one point while listening I wanted to scream at my computer "It's a heat pump!" Flora valiantly tried to explain how her "geothermal" heating system worked, but I don't think she ever used the words Heat Pump. Just using those 2 words would have helped anyone listening who did not already know how one worked. I'd also recommend NOT using the word "geothermal" with respect to the system, even if the word is all the rage today. It is more properly called a ground source heat pump (versus the more common air source heat pump). The word geothermal brings to mind hot springs and magma and generating renewable electricity from the earth's heat. A ground source heat pump is a completely different concept, and using the word geothermal often confuses people who don't know the distinction. Interestingly, GSHP systems often qualify for "renewable" treatment, although they aren't in any way renewable but rather highly efficient.

And Ben, being from NB, you should know that the Nordic brand of ground source heat pumps are manufactured Petitcodiac, http://www.nordicghp.com/mg/.

I think Leslie meant to refer to compressed natural gas (CNG) for cars, not liquified natural gas (LNG). LNG is used for transporting NG via ships, while CNG is what is delivered to your home and is available for filling up your CNG-fuelled car. Liquifying natural gas has an energy penalty - it takes energy to compress the gas down to a liquid - that isn't necessary for automobile use.