After completing a historic geothermal project in 2009 for a net-zero residential development in New York, Lloyd Hamilton was ready for a new challenge. That’s exactly what he got when he was asked to devise a geothermal solution to heat and cool nine net-zero-ready homes.

As geothermal continues to grow in popularity, it’s important for contractors to be properly trained in geothermal installations and functionality.

Zero-net-energy (ZNE) projects are becoming an increasingly popular way to save energy and showcase the green movement away from fossil fuels and carbon emissions.

The tax credit — commonly referred to as 25D — offers consumers up to 30 percent on the installation of wind power, solar electric and water, and fuel cell technologies.

ASHRAE has announced a newly published book, Geothermal Heating and Cooling: Design of Ground-Source Heat Pump Systems (GSHP). The publication is a complete revision of Ground-Source Heat Pumps: Design of Geothermal Systems for Commercial and Institutional Buildings, published in 1997.

The Geothermal Exchange Organization is backing efforts in a number of states to change public policies that currently fail to recognize geothermal heat pumps as a renewable source of energy and an efficient way to satisfy the thermal loads of buildings.

The EarthDirEX™ geothermal heat pump system is available in 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-ton capacities and includes an electronic expansion valve for precise refrigerant control. 

Kentlands Community Center replaces an aging forced-air system with more reliable and energy-efficient HVAC solutions.

While the geothermal industry is enjoying the growth, many are focused on 2016, when the tax credits are set to expire. The existing tax credit grants a 30 percent incentive for residential projects and 10 percent for commercial projects.

LSB Industries Inc. announced that Richard Aldridge has been appointed president of its ClimateMaster Inc. subsidiary, a geothermal heat pump manufacturer and the largest business in LSB’s Climate Control segment. Aldridge previously served as vice president of operations for the Climate Control Business.