Air Pollution - Your House May Be Harming Your Family

Kitchen cabinets, furniture, perfume, even candles and air fresheners – they can all contribute to the air pollution in our homes.

Dr. Bernard Hamel, former Director for the Institute for Environmental Studies at Drexil University, estimates that the levels of potentially deadly toxins in the average American home may be five times greater than the level of toxic pollutants found in the dirtiest city air.

Indoor air pollution poses a far greater risk to our health than outdoor pollution. Exposure to tobacco smoke, structural materials, mold, and even simple household dust can make us sick.

Biological contaminants such as mold and mildew allow disease-carrying pollutants to reproduce and spread their spores throughout the air. Toxic chemicals found in air fresheners, as well as average cleaning and grooming supplies can also be hazardous when build-up occurs in poorly ventilated rooms. Even the glue that holds 90% of today’s furniture together contains formaldehyde, which may cause nausea, headaches, lethargy and breathing problems in some people.

Another concern is lead paint, asbestos and radon, which were used in most homes, built before the 1980’s. Odorless, colorless and tasteless, these are all substances that are impossible to detect without proper testing.

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When trying to safeguard your home against indoor pollution, follow these simple tips:

• Use pump bottles for cleaning supplies instead of spray cans. They spray less fumes and are easier to direct.
• Add more ventilation, or simply open your doors and windows more often to help air out the indoor pollution.
• Hire environmental testers to check for things like radon, lead and asbestos.
• Use “green” cleaning products. They’re cheaper and easy to make. Try these recipes for some common household cleaning jobs:
  

All Purpose Cleaner:

• 1 qt. warm water
• 1 tsp. liquid hand soap
• 1/4 tsp. lemon juice

Works well on floors, countertops, rugs and upholstery

Oven Cleaner:
Cover grime with baking soda. Spray with water until wet, keeping dry for 3-4 hours. Let sit overnight. In the morning wipe clean with clear water.

Furniture Polish:

• 1 pt. mineral oil
• 1 tsp. lemon juice

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Caustic household cleaners and chemicals may be the #1 source of acute human exposure to toxic substances, according to research done by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. They make us sick and they damage the environment. When you have to use a caustic substance around your home, remember two important tips:

• Know how to use them properly: Always use caustic chemicals and cleaners in a well-ventilated area. Use an air mask if possible.
• Know how to dispose of them properly: Improper disposal of household cleaners, paints and other chemicals is the main source of toxic pollution in the United States today.
  

Follow these tips when getting rid of your household chemicals:

• Never pour any hazard household substance down the drain.
• Keep original containers for ingredient lists and storage.
• Take lids off paint and let dry prior to disposing.
• Take all chemical containers to your local hazardous waste site for disposal.

How is a geothermal heat pump like a refrigerator?

Like a refrigerator, a geothermal heat pump simply transfers heat from one place to another. When a refrigerator is operating, heat is being carried away from the inside food storage area to the outside, your kitchen. Therefore, cooling is not being added to the inside; heat is being taken out.

To understand the operation of a geothermal heat pump, it helps to understand how a refrigerator works. A refrigerator uses a refrigeration circuit with four main components, a compressor (1), a condenser (2), an expansion device (3), and an evaporator (4). Refrigerant (sometimes referred to by the brand name Freon) is pumped through the circuit to transfer heat from the inside of the refrigerator to the outside.

The compressor (1) is the pump. It also pressurizes the refrigerant gas. Since temperature and pressure are directly related, as the pressure increases, the temperature increases. The high temperature/high pressure gas flows from the compressor to the condenser (2).The cooler air in the kitchen (relative to the temperature of the refrigerant, 150 to 180°F [65 to 85°C]) causes the refrigerant to condense into a liquid. When two surfaces at different temperatures touch (or are very near – separated only by tubing), the hotter surface cools and the cooler surface warms. This is a law of physics called the second law of thermodynamics. The condenser therefore releases heat to the kitchen.

The next step in the process involves the expansion device (3).The expansion device is a small orifice that the refrigerant is forced through. The small hole creates a pressure differential between the two sides of the device. Think of an expansion device like a dam on a river with a hole in the dam. The water leaking through the hole is at a low pressure on the downstream side; the water on the other side (being held back by the dam) is at a high pressure. Once again, the pressure/temperature relationship (lower pressure/ lower temperature) creates a cold, low pressure liquid refrigerant that gets fed to the evaporator (4).

As warm air inside the refrigerator (relative to the very cold temperature of the refrigerant) passes through the evaporator coil (4), the hotter surface (air inside the refrigerator) gets cooler and the cooler surface (refrigerant in the evaporator (4) tubing) gets warmer. The liquid refrigerant evaporates back into gas form, and the cycle starts over again as the refrigerant enters the compressor (1). The evaporator therefore absorbs heat from the inside of the refrigerator, which keeps the food cold.

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An air conditioner or refrigerator transfers heat in only one direction. A heat pump can transfer heat in two directions, thereby heating or cooling the space. Most heat pumps heat or cool the air. Some heat pumps heat or chill water. An additional component, a reversing valve, is added to a heat pump, which allows the refrigerant to change direction, allowing the space that was being cooled to be heated.

A geothermal heat pump has a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator like a refrigerator, but also includes a reversing valve to allow both heating and cooling. The big difference between a refrigerator or traditional air conditioner and a geothermal heat pump is the way heat is transferred. A geothermal heat pump transfers heat between the refrigerant circuit and the ground instead of between the refrigerant circuit and the air. The ground is a much milder heat source, since the temperature changes very little over the course of the year. The outside air temperature, however, varies significantly over the year, making a geothermal heat pump much more energy efficient than a traditional air conditioner or heat pump. A geothermal heat pump compressor also operates at lower pressures because of the milder heat source/heat sink (the ground), helping provide longer life expectancies.

A geothermal heat pump is a like a refrigerator in many ways. Simple refrigerator technology coupled with the stable temperature of the Earth provides quiet, reliable, and energy efficient heating and cooling systems for today’s discerning homeowners.

Government Grants for Alternative Energy

In his State of the Union Address for 2007, President George W. Bush called for a 22% increase in federal grants for research and development of alternative energy. However, in a speech he gave soon after, he said to those assembled, I recognize that there has been some interesting mixed signals when it comes to funding.

Where the mixed signals were coming from concerned the fact that at the same time the President was calling on more government backing for research and development, the NREL, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of Golden, Colardo was laying off workers and contractors left and right.

Geothermal Tax Credits

Apparently, the Laboratory got the hint, because soon after the State of the Union Address, everyone was re-hired. The second speech of the President’s was actually given at the NREL. There is almost unanimous public support for the federal backing through research grants, tax breaks, and other financial incentives of research and development of alternative energy sources.

The NREL is the nation’s leading component of the National Bioenergy Center, a virtual center that has no central bricks and mortar office. The NREL’s raison d’etre is the advancing of the US Department of Energy’s and the United States’ alternative energy objectives.

The laboratory’s field researchers and staff scientists, in the words of Laboratory Director Dan Arvizu, support critical market objectives to accelerate research from scientific innovations to market-viable solutions. At the core of this strategic direction are NREL’s research and technology development areas.

These areas span from understanding renewable resources for energy, to the conversion of these resources to renewable electricity and fuels, and ultimately to the use of renewable electricity and fuels in homes, commercial buildings, and vehicles. The federally-backed Laboratory directly helps along the United States’ objectives for discovering renewable alternative fuels for powering our economy and our lifestyles.

The NREL is set up to have several areas of expertise in energy research and development. It spearheads research and development efforts into renewable sources of electricity; these would include such things as solar power, wind power, biomass power, and geothermal power.

It also spearheads research and development of renewable fuels for powering our vehicles such as biomass and biodiesel fuels and hydrogen fuel cells. Then, it seeks to develop plans for integrated system enginnering; this includes bringing alternative energy into play within buildings, electrical grids and delivery systems, and transportation infrastructures.

The Laboratory is also set up for strategic development and analysis of alternative energy objectives through the forces of economics, market analysis and planning, and alternative energy investment portfolios structurings.

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The NREL is additionally equipped with a Technology Transfer Office. This Office supports laboratory scientists and engineers in the practical application of and ability to make a living from their expertise and the technologies they develop.

NREL’s research and development staff and its facilities are recognized for their remarkable prowess by private industry, which is reflected in the hundreds of collaborative projects and licensed technologies that the Laboratory now has with both public and private partners.

Global Warming - What Can We Do to help?

Global warming refers to the increase in average temperature near the earth’s surface and in its oceans. Climate change is another term used interchangeably with global warming. However, climate change may encompass other changes in climate besides increases in temperature.

In the past century the average air temperature near the earth’s surface has increased by around 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Various models have attempted to predict how these temperature changes may impact on the future. They variously predict increases from 2.5 to 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Most scientists agree that temperatures are likely to continue increasing. However, they do not agree nearly as much when it comes to predicting the magnitude of the increase.

So what actually causes the increased temperatures?

The earth’s temperature is affected by many factors such as:

The earth’s orbit – The tilt of the earth axis as it revolves around the sun influences the amount of sunlight reaching earth. Therefore changes in the earth’s orbit affects its surface temperature.

Changes in intensity of heat emitted by the sun can also affect temperature on earth.

Volcanic activity – Lava, ash, dust and hot gases from volcanic eruptions can create volcanic aerosols which reflect heat away from the earth’s surface and result in cooler temperatures. For instance 1816 is said to have been a year without a summer – widely believed to have been a result of the eruption of the Tambora volcano in Indonesia in the previous year. On the other hand, volcanoes also emit huge quantities of Carbon Dioxide, which tend to have the opposite effect and could lead to higher temperatures.

The causes listed above have existed for a very long time. However, since the Industrial Revolution and especially since 1900 another cause has taken precedence. Increased use of fossil fuels and the resulting emissions of carbon dioxide have caused massive increases in greenhouse gases. This has led to increased temperatures through the greenhouse effect.

What is the greenhouse effect and how does it impact on surface temperature?

The earth receives heat from the sun. The earth loses heat by reflecting it back into the atmosphere. The atmosphere contains a mixture of gases that trap heat and keep the earth’s surface warm. This is similar to the mechanism that keeps the inside of a garden greenhouse warmer than the outside. These greenhouse gases are vital for life on earth. If they did not exist it is likely that earth would be too cold to sustain life. However, too much of a good thing can have bad consequences. As a result of our energy intensive lifestyles and the burning of vast quantities of fossil fuels the levels of greenhouse gases have been increasing rapidly which magnifies the greenhouse effect and traps more and more heat close to the earth’s surface. Greenhouse gases are primarily Water vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide and Ozone.

What are the consequences of global warming?

As the earth becomes hotter all year round the incidence of droughts and wildfires will increase. There is already evidence of this in effect. Many US cities have recorded their hottest ever temperatures within the last 3 decades and vast areas worldwide are drought affected and subject to horrific wildfires.

Warmer water in the oceans feeds energy into more and more powerful storms and dangerous hurricanes. The warmer seas also result in melting of glaciers and ice caps that in turn cause higher sea levels and flooding of coastal communities. Many small island nations in the Pacific face the prospect of becoming totally submerged in the very near future.

Spread of insect borne diseases such as malaria- Areas which were previously inhospitable to hosts of these diseases such as mosquitoes become breeding grounds as temperatures change. This could lead to the spread of tropical diseases to more temperate areas.

Changes in climate will also push many species of animals and plants to extinction as they struggle to survive in their changing environments.

As with most debates there are the naysayers, predominant among them is the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the only scientific society that rejects the conclusion that global warming is a threat.

However, if the 30 other scientific societies and academies who support the findings of global warming are to be believed, the consequences are obviously serious if not downright frightening! So what’s being done to control it?

Geothermal Tax Credits

Governments around the world have undertaken programs to cut back the level of emissions of greenhouse gases. For instance in the US the government has a strategy in place to reduce emissions by 18% over the 10 year period 2002 to 2012. To this end the Environmental Protection Agency has implemented many initiatives to encourage the reduction of emissions by various industries and other stakeholders.

However, this is not a responsibility that rests exclusively with government or regulatory bodies. Every individual contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and therefore has an obligation to help cut back.

What can an individual do to help?

The list of ways to cut back on emissions is probably as long as the many ways that energy is expended but there are several obvious and relatively easy ways to achieve improvements:

In the US about half of greenhouse gas emissions come from power plants while about a third comes from transportation. Any activity that cuts back on power usage or reduced use of transportation would have a positive impact.

Using energy efficient electrical appliances including compact fluorescent lights instead of traditional globes would help. In the US energy efficient appliances in more than 50 categories can be identified by their “Energy Star” rating.

Geothermal Air Conditioning

Similarly using more fuel-efficient cars or perhaps even reducing the use of cars and opting for more “green” transport methods such a bicycles, using public transport or even walking could help.

Using vehicles that run on renewable fuel sources such as E85 (A fuel containing 85% Ethanol) or bio-diesel.

Ensuring that tire pressures are at appropriate levels and your vehicles engine is tuned to manufacturers specifications would also help reduce fuel consumption.

Switching to greener sources of energy. Using solar power directly where the technology permits. Where there is no option but to use electricity or other traditional energy sources then it may be possible to make this purchase from a supplier who uses green, non fossil fuel sources to produce it.

Planting trees to offset the effects of the carbon dioxide emissions created in the production of the energy and other products one consumes is another alternative. It isn’t necessary to do this oneself. Around the world there are organizations that are gearing up to do this on behalf of the many millions of concerned consumers. So for instance a power company could estimate the greenhouse gases emitted to produce a kilowatt-hour of electricity and then allow its customers an opportunity to pay to offset these emissions and become “carbon neutral”.

Other ways of conserving energy would include cutting back on waste thereby saving on the energy that would be expended on replacement of the wasted item – Recycle and reuse whenever possible.

Saving on water consumption – A huge amount of energy is spent on purifying water for consumption so cutting back on water waste will help considerably.

Ensuring you have efficient insulation and that cooling and heating appliances are cleaned and primed to work efficiently.

Although individual actions may seem trivial their cumulative impact worldwide can be literally life changing. It is clear that much can be done at an individual level to control global warming. Although they cannot agree on the magnitude of global warming the overwhelming majority of the scientific community agree that it is a very real problem. The time for action is now! The consequences of doing nothing are just too frightening to comprehend!

Geothermal Renewable Energy - The Earth

The heat of the Earth makes up what is known as geothermal energy. When dust and gasses from Earth mixed together 4 billion years ago, geothermal energy resulted.

Inside the Earth at its core, some 4, 000 miles deep, the temperature is estimated at about 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Geothermal energy has been used throughout history for bathing, relaxing, cooking and heating. It was thought by some to have healing effects and was used to treat eye and skin diseases. The first geothermal generator that produced energy was built in Lardarello, Italy in 1904. The United States followed with their first attempt at geothermal power in 1912 at The Geysers in California. Today it is produced in twenty-one countries around the world.

Geothermal energy is located deep in the ground. The heat at the core of the Earth has an outward flow. As it moves, it is transferred to surrounding rock layers called the mantle. As temperatures and pressure increase, the rock melts and becomes magma. The magma moves toward the surface of the earth carrying the heat with it. If the magma reaches the Earth’s surface, it becomes lava. However, most of it stays below the Earth’s crust and heats rocks and water that surround it. These temperatures can reach up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water travels to the Earth’s surface, it becomes hot springs or geysers. Mostly it stays trapped in fractured, porous rocks called geothermal reservoirs. This heat near the Earth’s surface becomes a form of energy.

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Hot water or steam from the reservoir exerts a force that can spin a turbine connected to a generator and produces electricity. The cooled water is then returned to the reservoir in order for it to reheat. Much exploration and testing needs to be done to determine where the geothermal underground waters are. When ideal spots are located, drilling is done to create production wells that bring the water to the Earth’s surface for power generation in geothermal power plants.

Although the costs to construct geothermal plants and geothermal wells are high, the cost of producing electricity is lower over time. The fuel is reliable, stable and does not need to be transported. The white smoke you will see over geothermal power plants is not smoke but rather steam. During the process of operations it may, however, bring some hazardous gases from underground.

The United States stands as the biggest producer of geothermal energy. Unfortunately, interest in it is low and it only accounts for about 1% of this country’s energy supply. Through research and experience new methods and technologies for accessing geothermal energy will improve. Tapping into the heat under the Earth’s surface can produce much more of the nations energy. We are at a point where renewable energy sources must make their way to the forefront of the energy picture. Not only are fossil fuels being depleted, but also they are ruining our air quality. In time, geothermal energy may become an appealing alternative. Competitive pricing and minimal environmental impact could produce a hot future for this renewable energy source.

Geothermal Q&A

Geothermal Heat Pumps: Questions You Should Ask About a New Heating and Cooling System.

Regardless of the type of heating and cooling system you may be considering for your home or business, there are specific questions you should ask the dealer/ installer. These questions deal with finding out the actual efficiency of the system, any operating limitations it may have, and the bottom line of operating costs. The answers here are meant as a guide for what you should try to find out with your questions.

Q: What is the Btuh [kW] size of the heat pump or furnace that’s being proposed?
A: Heating systems are designed to provide specific amounts of heat energy per hour. The term “Btuh” [kW] refers to how much heat can be produced by the unit. Before you can know what size system you’ll need, you must have a heat loss/heat gain calculation done on your home. From that, an accurate determination can be made on the size of the heating/cooling system. Many fossil fuel furnaces are substantially oversized for home heating requirements, resulting in increased operating costs.

Q: Is the efficiency rating actual or just a manufacturer’s average?
A: All types of heating and cooling systems have a rated efficiency. Fossil fuel furnaces have a percentage efficiency rating. Natural gas, propane and fuel oil furnaces have efficiency ratings based on laboratory conditions. To get an accurate installed efficiency rating, factors such as flue gas heat losses, cycling losses caused by oversizing, blower fan electrical usage, etc., must be included. Air conditioners are normally rated in SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). SEER and EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) cannot be directly compared without the use of software.

Geothermal heat pumps, as well as all other types of heat pumps, have efficiencies rated according to their Coefficient of Performance or COP for heating and EER for cooling. It’s a scientific way of determining how much energy the system produces versus how much it uses.

Most geothermal heat pumps systems have COPs of 3.5 – 5.0.That means for every one unit of energy used to power the system, 3.5 to 5 units are supplied as heat. Whereas a fossil fuel furnace may be 80-90 percent efficient, a geothermal heat pump is about 450 percent efficient. Some geothermal heat pump manufacturers and electric utilities use software to accurately determine the operating efficiency of a system for your home. Software like ClimateMaster GeoDesigner allows comparisons in dollars to avoid the confusion of the various rating systems.

Q: Will the minimum entering water temperature have an affect on which heat pump I buy?
A: Yes. If you have an open-loop system, your entering water temperatures (EWTs) may range from the 70s°F [20s°C] in the southern United States to the 40s°F [single digits, °C] in Canada. All heat pumps can handle temperatures in the moderate to warm ranges. A closed-loop system, on the other hand, may encounter EWTs below freezing. Not all ground-source heat pumps will operate at those low temperatures. It’s important for you to know what EWTs your heat pump will handle.

Q: Are the dealer and loop installers qualified?
A: Don’t be afraid to ask for references from dealers. A reputable dealer won’t hesitate to give you names and numbers to call to confirm his capabilities.The same applies to the loop installer.

Q: Will open- or closed-loop be best for you?
A: That depends on several factors, as stated earlier. A dealer should be willing to install what’s best for you, not for him.

Q: Will the loop joints be heat fused?
A: The only acceptable method for joining buried sections of the special pipe used for closed loop systems is heat fusion. Any other method will eventually result in the failure of the loop.

Q: How long is the payback period for your ground- source heat pump system?
A: To figure this accurately, you must know how much per year you’ll save in energy costs with a ground-source system, and the difference between it and a traditional heating system and central air conditioner. As an example: if you’ll save $700 per year with a ground-source system and the costs difference is $2,000, your payback would be less than three years.

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Q: If a home has ceiling cable heat or baseboard heat, do air ducts need to be installed?
A: Not always. It may be desirable to install ground- source heat pump room units. For some small homes, one room unit would provide most of the heating and cooling needs. Ceiling cable or baseboard units could then be used for supplemental heat.

Q: Can I use a geothermal heat pump for radiant floor heating (warm floors)?
A: Yes. Water-to-Water heat pumps heat water instead of air. The principle is the same as far as loop piping is concerned. Warm water is circulated through the floor to heat the home.

Geothermal Heat Pumps: Open-Loop Systems

Q: What is an open-loop system?
A: The term “Open-Loop” is commonly used to describe a geothermal heat pump system that uses groundwater from a conventional well as a heat source in winter and a heat sink in summer. The groundwater is pumped through the heat pump where heat is extracted (in winter) or rejected (in summer), then the water is disposed of in an appropriate manner. Since groundwater is a relatively constant temperature year-round, it is an excellent heat source/heat sink. An example of a groundwater installation



Q: What do I do with the discharge water?
A: There are a number of ways to dispose of water after it has passed through the heat pump. The open discharge method is the easiest and least expensive. Open discharge simply involves releasing the water into a stream, river, lake, pond, ditch or drainage tile. Obviously, one of these alternatives must be readily available and must possess the capacity to accept the amount of water used by the heat pump before open discharge is feasible. A second means of water discharge is the return well. A return well is a second well bore that returns the water to the ground aquifer. A return well must have enough capacity to dispose of the water passed through the heat pump. A new return well should be installed by a qualified well driller. Likewise, a professional should test the capacity of an existing well before it is used as a return.

Q: How much groundwater does an open-loop system need?
A: Geothermal heat pumps used in open-loop systems need differing amounts of water depending on the size of the unit. The water requirement of a specific model is usually expressed in gallons per minute (l/s) and is listed in the specifications for that unit. Your heating and cooling contractor should be able to provide this information. Generally, the average system will use 6-10 G.P.M. [0.4 – 0.6 l/s] while operating. An extremely cold day might result in a usage of 6,000-10,000 gallons [23,000 – 38,000 liters] of water. Your well and pump combination should be large enough to supply the water needed by the heat pump in addition to your domestic water requirements. You will probably need to enlarge your pressure tank or modify your plumbing to supply adequate water to the heat pump.

Q: What problems can be caused by poor water quality?
A: Poor water quality can cause serious problems in open-loop systems. Your water should be tested for hardness, acidity and iron content before a heat pump is installed. Your contractor can tell you what level of water quality is acceptable. Mineral deposits can build up inside the heat pump’s heat exchanger. Sometimes a periodic cleaning with a mild acid solution is all that’s needed to remove the build-up. Impurities, particularly iron, can eventually clog a return well. If your water has a high iron content you should be sure that the discharge water is not aerated before it’s injected into a return well. Finally, you should opt against using water from a spring, pond, lake or river as a source for your heat pump system unless it’s proven to be free of excessive particles and organic matter. They can clog a heat pump system and make it inoperable in a short time. If water quality is a concern, a closed-loop system should be used.

Q: Does an open-loop system cause environmental damage?
A: No. They are pollution free. The heat pump merely removes heat from or adds heat to the water. No pollutants are added whatsoever. The only change in the water returned to the environment is a slight increase or decrease in temperature.

Q: Are there any laws that apply to open-loop installations?
A: In some localities, all or parts of the installation may be subject to local ordinances, codes, covenants or licensing requirements. Check with local authorities to determine if any restrictions apply in your area. Geothermal Heat Pumps: Parts of the System.

Q: What are the components of a geothermal heat pump system?
A: The three main parts are the heat pump unit, the liquid heat exchange medium (open or closed loop), and the air delivery system (ductwork).

Q: Are all geothermal heat pumps alike?
A: No. There are different kinds of geothermal heat pumps designed for specific applications. Many geothermal heat pumps, for example, are intended for use only with higher temperature ground water encountered in open-loop systems. Others will operate at entering water temperatures as low as 20°F [-7°C] which is required for closed- loop systems. Geothermal heat pumps can also differ in the way they are designed. Self-contained units combine the blower, compressor, water heat exchanger and air coil in a single cabinet. Split systems allow the coil to be added to a forced-air furnace and utilize the existing blower.

Q: Will I have to add insulation to my home if I install one of these systems?
A: Geothermal heat pumps will reduce your heating and cooling costs regardless of how well your home is insulated. However, insulating and weatherizing are key factors in realizing the most savings from any type of heating and cooling system.

Q: Can a geothermal heat pump also heat water for my home?
A: Yes. Using what’s called a Hot Water Generator (HWG), some types of geothermal heat pumps can save you up to 50 percent on your water heating bill by pre-heating tank water. The HWG is a factory-installed option.

Q: Is a geothermal heat pump difficult to install?
A: Most units are easy to install, especially when they are replacing another forced-air system. They can be installed in areas unsuitable for fossil fuel furnaces because there is no combustion, thus, no need to vent exhaust gases. Ductwork must be installed in homes that don’t have an existing air distribution system. The difficulty of installing ductwork will vary and should be assessed by a contractor.

Q: Can a geothermal heat pump be added to my fossil fuel (Gas, oil, propane) furnace?
A: Split systems can easily be added to existing furnaces for those wishing to have a dual-fuel system. Use the heat pump as the main heating source and a furnace as a supplement in extremely cold weather if additional heat is needed.