I believe that the single best thing that has come to the forefront in all the talk about sustainable homes and reducing energy usage, is the whole concept of Geothermal heating and cooling of our homes. Just doing this one thing in every home where possible would take us along way toward energy independence.
If I could offer one option that will no doubt pay for it self Geo would be it. So we have embarked on a promotion to make it possible for every home we build to have this high quality system. The article published is how satisfied one of our customers is with the system that we installed for them. The Flory's recognized early on that they wanted the most energy efficient home possible.
You can see the offer we have currently on a new custom Villa home with a Geo system installed. We can include a Geo system in your new home starting at the reasonable price of FREE!!
The following article is used with permission from the Waterloo Courier Home and Garden section.
Geothermal systems may be worth front-end investment for new homes
By Amie Steffen | Images by Rick Chase
Dave Krejchi, owner of Dalton’s Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, says in-floor geothermal is ‘the most comfortable heat’ because there is no air movement.
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Geothermal systems may be worth front-end investment for new homes
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the color report: GREEN
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When Denise and Ronald Flory of Cedar Falls were building their new home, energy savings and limiting their impact on the environment were big factors.
Others they knew had raved about geothermal heating and cooling systems, and the Flory's were persuaded.
It’s more expensive to install than a traditional furnace and air conditioning system, noted Denise Flory, but she’s undaunted.
“In the long run, it’s going to be well worth the added investment,” she said. “Our home is very comfortable.”
The Flory's join an ever-growing population around the Cedar Valley choosing to install geothermal, or ground-source systems, into their new or renovated homes.
Dave Krejchi, owner of Dalton’s Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in Cedar Falls, said that’s been fueled lately by both increases in traditional utility costs as well as substantial incentives to go greener. Homeowners get a 30-percent tax credit on installation of a geothermal system as well as rebates from utility companies.
“When energy gets high, that’s when we sell them,” Krejchi said.
A geothermal system uses the earth’s constant temperature — which varies between 52 and 55 degrees — to draw out heat in the summer and pump heat in during winter months. The Environmental Protection Agency has said it is “the most energy-efficient and environmentally sensitive of all space conditioning systems.”
The system still runs off electricity, but a smaller amount.
“You’re going to ... see energy bills cut 70-plus percent,” Krejchi said. “It can be substantial.”
Flory agreed, noting her 1,800-square foot home’s highest heating bill last winter was around $90.
“Energy costs are going to continue to increase, especially when we’re looking at natural gas or anything generated by coal,” she said.
Tim Hanson, a salesman at Young Plumbing and Heating in Waterloo, said geothermal is becoming popular in schools as well. He noted efficiency with the systems can run at 300 to 400 percent.
“For the most part, (the reasons people buy geothermal are) saving money, they know it’s very efficient and a lot of them know it’s environmentally safe,” Hanson said.
Most geothermal systems involve burying loop fields underground, which capture the heat and are buried either vertically or horizontally — so a good-sized yard is key to installation. Also, older homes aren’t always equipped to handle the system.
They work much like a traditional furnace/air conditioning system does: with a heat pump. Loops of refrigerant are pumped through a refrigeration cycle that moves heat. Instead of taking the heat from the air, however, geothermal systems take it from or give it back to the ground.
The system is run with a typical thermostat, and loops buried outside are not visible.
“The unit is a little larger than a regular furnace, but very quiet, and our energy bills have been reasonable,” Denise Flory said.
Homeowners can choose between a duct system or in-floor heating. Flory has a duct system, while Krejchi said he’s installed in-floor geothermal in his own home.
“It’s the most comfortable heat you’ll ever have ‘cause there’s no air movement,” he said. “Instead of moving air, you’re heating objects and it radiates.”
With more people asking about geothermal systems for their homes and more companies offering it, Hanson said it’s important to go with an installation company you trust.
“Most of them like it. We have had very few complaints,” he said.
Contact the writer at (319) 291-1464 or amie.steffen@wcfcourier.com.
It seems we have entered a different mind thought about housing and families are thinking farther down the road in what they actually would like in their home then. People are not thinking bigger but shooting for a higher quality home with more higher end features. The paybacks and incentives on high energy items like Geo and efficiency items is now, it won't last for ever. If you would like to come in for a no obligation consultation on this topic or any building topic do not hesitate to contact me personally.
Craig the Builder
Craig Fairbanks
319-404-0412
Craig@BuildBuyorSellHomes.com
www.BuildBuyorSellHomes.com
