First in the Sustainability Series, the book “Understanding Geothermal Systems” is a comprehensive study and resource manual that serves as a best-practices guide for the design, installation, and maintenance of geothermal systems.
Volunteers with the Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) Pacific Northwest Utility Work Group (PNW) recently joined outreach and communications manager Ted Clutter in meetings with officials of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE).
With just three years left to encourage homeowners to invest in geothermal advances, manufacturers are pulling out all the stops by introducing new features on their GHPs, such as variable-speed technology and sophisticated controls, which they say will provide homeowners with better comfort, as well as lower energy consumption and operating costs.
Each geothermal installation involves digging up a yard, laying hundreds of feet of pipe, and generally disrupting the lives of homeowners, but thanks to the innovative thinking of manufacturers and contractors, there are now new products and techniques that can enhance the installation experience for the homeowner, as well as the contractor.
Most utilities promote conservation by offering rebates for the installation of high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment and solar energy systems, but several are starting to think outside the box.
The geothermal courses focus on educating representatives, distributors, and contractors about how to perform a complete, successful geoexchange installation, from field work to equipment connections.
Homeowners want to save money, which often also means saving energy when they purchase HVAC equipment. This leads consumers toward high-efficiency equipment.