Which system uses the temperature of the subsoil to heat and cool a home?

The correct choice is the system that uses the temperature of the subsoil to heat and cool a home, which is the geothermal system. This technology operates by harnessing the constant temperature found beneath the earth's surface, typically ranging between 45°F and 75°F, depending on the location.

In geothermal systems, pipes are buried underground, and a fluid circulates through these pipes, absorbing heat from the ground during colder months and transferring it into the home for heating. In the summer, the process is reversed; the system extracts heat from the home and transfers it back into the ground, providing efficient cooling. This method is highly efficient and environmentally friendly compared to conventional heating and cooling systems because it utilizes the earth's consistent temperature rather than relying on fluctuating weather conditions.

In contrast, solar panels depend on sunlight to generate electricity, electric heaters use electrical energy to produce heat directly, and gas furnaces burn natural gas to create warmth. Each of these alternatives has its own operational principles and energy sources, making them distinct from the geothermal approach that specifically capitalizes on the thermal energy stored in the subsoil.