Geothermal ground source heat pumps have been increasing in popularity. While geothermal heat pumps can be installed just about anywhere in the United States, some contractors may not be aware of how important it is to first understand the soil composition and subsurface conditions in their area before taking on any job.
There are many different ways to install a closed loop geothermal heat pump system but all involve burying pipes in the ground or submersed in a body of water. While backhoes are still often used to dig trenches for horizontal piping, drilling equipment is needed for vertical piping, in order to bore holes up to several hundred feet into the ground.
As tax credits for geothermal units continue, while tax credits for other HVAC equipment ended Dec. 31, 2010, interest in geothermal from both contractors and customers has heated up. To help satisfy some of the contractor interest in geothermal units, this product roundup offers contractors information on some equipment available from a variety of different manufacturers.
The geothermal industry has continued to grow in name recognition in the last decade due to its energy-savings systems and the green movement. The tools of the trade and training are readily available to HVAC contractors - but has the general public truly embraced geothermal technology?
Good news: The customers of HVAC contractors who install qualifying sustainable energy systems (geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, wind energy systems, and fuel cells), will continue to receive tax credits through Dec. 31, 2016. These can total 30 percent of the installed costs (product and installation) of the systems.
There’s no place like Geo Farm for all things geothermal. The event, a hands-on field day hosted by distributor Corken Steel, is being hosted for the third year in rural Indiana Aug. 30 – Sept 1. For 2011, the drilling, trenching, geo technology, and heat exchanger workshop has been expanded to two days.
The steady growth of the ground-source heat pump (GSHP) market has also created some challenges - like a shortage of experienced loop installers. The risk of being at the mercy of a subcontractor to install the loops is prompting some HVAC contractors to bring loop installations in house.
Randy Mathern has been in the business for 36 years. But it wasn’t until 2001 that he decided to start his own company. To get started, Mathern decided he needed to become an expert in a progressive technology, and since geothermal technology had been around for a little while, he decided to jump into it.
Every year The NEWS introduces the latest air conditioning units available for the upcoming summer season. The intent is to help contractors prepare for this busy period by doing the research that will help them to distinguish between brands. This feature provides our 2011 Residential Cooling Showcase.
There’s a kid with a fresh face on the block in Washington, D.C. - Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO). This nonprofit trade association is spending time in the halls of government seeking recognition for the renewable energy, efficiency, and environmental benefits its members have to offer.