Geothermal Heat Pumps

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Two 36-ton geothermal heat pumps used at the College of Southern Idaho.
The geothermal heat pump, also known as the ground source heat pump, is a highly efficient renewable energy technology that is gaining wide acceptance for both residential and commercial buildings. Geothermal heat pumps are used for space heating and cooling, as well as water heating. Its great advantage is that it works by concentrating naturally existing heat, rather than by producing heat through combustion of fossil fuels.

The technology relies on the fact that the Earth (beneath the surface) remains at a relatively constant temperature throughout the year, warmer than the air above it during the winter and cooler in the summer, very much like a cave. The geothermal heat pump takes advantage of this by transferring heat stored in the Earth or in ground water into a building during the winter, and transferring it out of the building and back into the ground during the summer. The ground, in other words, acts as a heat source in winter and a heat sink in summer.

The system includes three principal components:

•Geothermal earth connection subsystem
•Geothermal heat pump subsystem
•Geothermal heat distribution subsystem.

Earth Connection
Using the Earth as a heat source/sink, a series of pipes, commonly called a "loop," is buried in the ground near the building to be conditioned. The loop can be buried either vertically or horizontally. It circulates a fluid (water, or a mixture of water and antifreeze) that absorbs heat from, or relinquishes heat to, the surrounding soil, depending on whether the ambient air is colder or warmer than the soil.

Heat Pump Subsystem

For heating, a geothermal heat pump removes the heat from the fluid in the Earth connection, concentrates it, and then transfers it to the building. For cooling, the process is reversed.

Heat Distribution Subsystem

Conventional ductwork is generally used to distribute heated or cooled air from the geothermal heat pump throughout the building.

Residential Hot Water

In addition to space conditioning, geothermal heat pumps can be used to provide domestic hot water when the system is operating. Many residential systems are now equipped with desuperheaters that transfer excess heat from the geothermal heat pump's compressor to the house's hot water tank. A desuperheater provides no hot water during the spring and fall when the geothermal heat pump system is not operating; however, because the geothermal heat pump is so much more efficient than other means of water heating, manufacturers are beginning to offer "full demand" systems that use a separate heat exchanger to meet all of a household's hot water needs. These units cost-effectively provide hot water as quickly as any competing system.

Additional Information

For more specifics on geothermal heat pump systems, including types, benefits and selection and installation, visit these pages on the DOE Consumer's Guide Web site:

•Types of Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
•Benefits of Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
•Selecting and Installing a Geothermal Heat Pump System

To lean more about geothermal heat pumps, visit the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association, where you can search for local IGSHPA Accredited Installers, Trainers, and Certified Designers using their Business Directory. Information is also available from the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium, which can help you can find a knowledgeable contractor in your area by using their GeoExchange Industry Directory.
While primarily intended for the energy managers of Federal facilities, DOE's Federal Energy Management Program does have information on purchasing and installing geothermal heat pumps that would be of help to commercial building owners or contractors on their heat pump Web page.

Indoor Air Quality Solutions

Allergies

60,000,000 people in the United States are affected by allergies, and mold is one of the 5 most common allergens. The dark, cool and moist surfaces that typically exist in HVAC systems are very favorable places for mold growth. The spores released from the growth are distributed throughout the structure. Applying UV light in these vulnerable areas can make a huge difference in the spore counts in the air. In regions where the air is typically drier and mold growth is less of a problem, UV applied in the recirculating airstream passing through an HVAC system can make a significant reduction in the mold spore counts in indoor air. By reducing the density of mold spores, the indoor air quality is enhanced and allergy symptoms reduced.

Bacteria and Viruses

Fresh outside air is healthy to breathe in part because natural UV from the sun controls the level of airborne microorganisms.A UV Light brings UV indoors to help control microorganisms in indoor air. With a UV system installed in your HVAC system, the numbers of airborne bacteria and viruses that cause colds and other illnesses will be reduced as air is circulated through the system. With most people spending as much as 90% of their time indoors, optimizing indoor air quality becomes increasingly important. Today's advanced building techniques are another factor to consider when evaluating indoor air quality. To increase heating and cooling efficiency, and to add to indoor comfort, homes and commercial buildings are more airtight than ever. While efficiency and comfort goals may be achieved, an unintended effect is that with less outdoor air "leaking" into the indoor space, airborne organisms and other contaminants can accumulate. The HVAC system now has an increased role in maintaining indoor air quality -- adding UV disinfection along with filtration and other enhancements helps it fulfill that role.

Mold

That smell when the air conditioner turns on -- especially after it has been off for a while. What is it? Chances are it's MOLD, and those mold spores spread around, landing everywhere in the house. Or if mold is growing in a damp place elsewhere in the house, the air conditioner helps distribute the spores as the air is recirculated. UV can play an important -- if not vital -- role in controlling home damaging mold. As insurance companies raise rates and even exclude mold damage from their coverage, UV can be a big help -- consult your HVAC contractor.

MERV 11 Filtration

Most MERV 11 high capacity Media filters feature of thirty-two square feet of MERV 11 filtration folded into a five-inch compact pleated unit—it’s better than 99% efficient on pollen—and many other irritants such as dust mite allergen. The EPA considers MERV 11 premium performance for residential applications.

Odor Reduction

Photronic’s ReFresh odor reduction process, operates in much the same way as an automotive catalytic converter. The air passing through the refresh system comes in contact with a UV energized grid that is coated with an exclusive formulation containing titanium dioxide. The grid reacts with hundreds of odors (caused by VOCs) and breaks them down into harmless—and odorless—components.

Saving Energy

A UV system uses about the same amount of electricity as a standard light bulb. Yet it can help your HVAC system increase its efficiency, so you may use less power overall. When mold becomes established on cooling elements, it begins to insulate it from the passing air. This makes the heat transfer from the air to the elements more difficult. When this happens the HVAC system begins to run a little longer and then cycles more often to accomplish the same temperature setting. This obviously uses more energy and in addition, increases wear and tear on the system. Of course we recommend quality filtration to keep the elements as well as the UV lamps free of dust, then the UV will keep the mold away, and help to optimize efficiency.

Ductless, Mini-Split Heat Pumps

Ductless, Mini-Split Heat Pumps
Ductless, mini-split-system heat pumps (mini splits) make good retrofit add-ons to houses with "non-ducted" heating systems, such as hydronic (hot water heat), radiant panels, and space heaters (wood, kerosene, propane). They can also be a good choice for room additions, where extending or installing distribution ductwork is not feasible.

Like standard air-source heat pumps, mini splits have two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser, and an indoor air-handling unit. A conduit, which houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing, and a condensate drain, links the outdoor and indoor units.

Advantages
The main advantages of mini splits are their small size and flexibility for zoning or heating and cooling individual rooms. Many models can have as many as four indoor air handling units (for four zones or rooms) connected to one outdoor unit. The number depends on how much heating or cooling is required for the building or each zone (which in turn is affected by how well the building is insulated). Since each of the zones will have its own thermostat, you only need to condition that place when someone is there. This will save energy and money.

Ductless mini-split systems are also often easier to install than other types of space conditioning systems. For example, the hook-up between the outdoor and indoor units generally requires only a three-inch hole through a wall for the conduit. Also, most manufacturers of this type of system can provide a variety of lengths of connecting conduits. If necessary, you can locate the outdoor unit as far away as 50 feet from the indoor evaporator. This makes it possible to cool rooms on the front side of a building house with the compressor in a more advantageous or inconspicuous place on the outside of the building.

Since mini splits have no ducts, they avoid the energy losses associated with ductwork of central forced air systems. Duct losses can account for more than 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning, especially if the ducts are in an unconditioned space such as an attic.

In comparison to other add-on systems, mini splits offer more flexibility in interior design options. The indoor air handlers can be suspended from a ceiling, mounted flush into a drop ceiling, or hung on a wall. Floor-standing models are also available. Most indoor units have profiles of about seven inches deep and usually come with sleek, high tech-looking jackets. Many also offer a remote control to make it easier to turn the system on and off when it's positioned high on a wall or suspended from a ceiling.

Split-systems can also help to keep your home safer since there is only a small hole in the wall. Through-the-wall and window mounted room air-conditioners can provide an easy entrance for intruders.

Disadvantages
The primary disadvantage of mini splits is their cost. Such systems cost about $1,500–$2,000 per ton (12,000 Btu per hour) of cooling capacity. This is about 30% more than central systems (not including ductwork) and may cost twice as much as window units of similar capacity.

The installer must also correctly size each indoor unit and judge the best location for its installation. Oversized or incorrectly located air-handlers often result in short-cycling, which wastes energy and does not provide proper temperature or humidity control. Too large a system is also more expensive to buy and operate.

Some people may not like the appearance of the indoor part of the system. While less obtrusive than a window room air conditioner, they seldom have the built-in look of a central system. There must also be a place to drain condensate water near the outdoor unit.

Qualified installers and service people for mini splits may not be easy to find. In addition, most conventional heating and cooling contractors have large investments in tools and training for sheet metal duct systems. They need to use (and charge for) these to earn a return on their investment, so they may not recommend ductless systems except where a ducted system would be difficult for them to install.

Let Mold And Bacteria See The Light

No matter how much you clean and disinfect, bacteria, mold and germs still
blow through the air in your home every time your heating and cooling system
turns on. Plus, your air conditioner’s moist cooling coil can serve as an ideal
breeding ground for mold. Ultraviolet treatment systems act as an additional line
of defense to help protect your family.
The UV lights in ultraviolet treatment systems are contained within your heating
and cooling system — right where bacteria and mold try to grow. Honeywell
coil irradiation models kill up to 99.9 percent of mold that could otherwise be
thriving on your system’s cooling coil. Airborne bacteria doesn’t stand much of a
chance, either, with up to 87 percent killed when passing by the system.

Save Energy, Save Money
When mold and mildew grow on your home's heating and cooling
equipment, the equipment has to work harder to try to maintain your
desired temperature. In addition, airflow can be diminished, causing
even more drop-off in efficiency. Plus, having your system’s coil
cleaned can be very expensive.
A surface treatment ultraviolet system is a much more cost-effective
choice. The UV lights keep your air conditioning coil clean to help
maintain energy efficiency and airflow. You’ll save money through
improved efficiency and by not needing to replace equipment or have
it cleaned. Even more, you’ll enjoy a more comfortable home because
your system will be better able to deliver the temperature and airflow
you desire.

Air Seal and Insulate

Sealing Ducts


In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts are used to distribute conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical house, however, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set.

How do you know that your home has poorly performing ducts?
you have high summer and winter utility bills;
you have rooms that are difficult to heat and cool;
you have stuffy rooms that never seem to feel comfortable;
your ducts are located in an attic, crawlspace, or the garage;
you find tangled or kinked flexible ducts in your system.
Benefits of Duct Sealing
A duct system that is well-designed and properly sealed can make your home more comfortable, energy efficient, and safer.

Learn more about the Benefits of Duct Sealing.

Simple Steps to Improving Duct Performance
Because ducts are often concealed in walls, ceiling, attics, and basements, repairing them can be difficult. But there are things that you can do to improve duct performance in your house.

Some homeowners choose to take on duct sealing as a do-it-yourself project. Start by sealing air leaks using mastic sealant or metal tape and insulating all the ducts that you can access (such as those in attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages). Never use duct tape, as it is not long-lasting. Also, make sure that the connections at vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet the floors, walls, and ceiling. These are common locations to find leaks and disconnected ductwork.

Earth Day is a great time to commit to protecting the environment and saving energy.

In a typical home, 43% of the utility bill goes toward heating and cooling. This site provides consumers with free and inexpensive strategies for saving energy and money through the warm spring and summer months, as well as energy-saving investments that can provide savings over the long term. You'll also find information on financial assistance for energy-saving improvements.
No-Cost and Low-Cost Tips to Save Energy This Summer
Here you'll find strategies to help you save energy during the spring and summer when the weather is warm and you are trying to keep your home cool. Some of the tips below are free and can be used on a daily basis to increase your savings; others are simple and inexpensive actions you can take to ensure maximum savings through the spring and summer.

If you haven't already, conduct an energy assessment to find out where you can save the most, and consider making a larger investment for long-term energy savings.

Also check out no-cost and low-cost tips to save energy during the winter.

Use Your Windows to Gain Cool Air and Keep Out Heat
If you live in a climate where it cools off at night, turn off your cooling system and open your windows while sleeping. When you wake in the morning, shut the windows and blinds to capture the cool air.
•Learn more about natural ventilation.
Install window coverings to prevent heat gain through your windows.
•Find out about window treatments and coverings that can improve energy efficiency.

Operate Your Thermostat Efficiently
Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
Keep your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lower the thermostat setting to 78°F (26°C) only when you are at home and need cooling. A programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature.
•Find out how to operate your thermostat for maximum energy savings.
•Also see ENERGY STAR's June 5, 2008, podcast for video instructions on operating your programmable thermostat.
Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.

Use Fans and Ventilation Strategies to Cool Your Home

If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort.
•Learn more about using a ceiling fan to increase cooling efficiency.
•Find ENERGY STAR ceiling fans.
Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.
When you shower or take a bath, use the bathroom fan to remove the heat and humidity from your home. Your laundry room might also benefit from spot ventilation. Make sure bathroom and kitchen fans are vented to the outside (not just to the attic).
•Find ENERGY STAR ventilating fans.

Keep Your Cooling System Running Efficiently
Schedule regular maintenance for your cooling equipment.
•Learn about operating and maintaining your air conditioner, evaporative cooler, or heat pump.
•Find guidelines on hiring a professional service for air conditioner maintenance.
Avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your room air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
•Learn additional tips for operating a room air conditioner efficiently.
Vacuum registers regularly to remove any dust buildup. Ensure that furniture and other objects are not blocking the air flow through your registers.

Don't Heat Your Home with Appliances and Lighting

On hot days, avoid using the oven; cook on the stove, use a microwave oven, or grill outside.
Install efficient lighting that runs cooler. Only about 10%–15% of the electricity that incandescent lights consume results in light—the rest is turned into heat.
•Learn more about your options for efficient lighting.
•Find out when to turn off your lights.
•Purchase ENERGY STAR lighting products.
Take advantage of daylight instead of artificial lighting, but avoid direct sunlight.
•Learn more about strategies for efficient daylighting.
Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. Consider air drying both dishes and clothing.
•Learn more about efficient dishwashing and laundry.
Take short showers instead of baths.
•Learn more ways to reduce your hot water use.
Minimize activities that generate a lot of heat, such as running a computer, burning open flames, running a dishwasher, and using hot devices such as curling irons or hair dryers. Even stereos and televisions will add some heat to your home.
•Learn more about avoiding heat buildup in your home

Keep Hot Air from Leaking Into Your Home

Seal cracks and openings to prevent warm air from leaking into your home.
•Learn more about air sealing new and existing homes.
Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.
•Find how to select and apply the appropriate caulk.
•Learn how to select and apply weatherstripping.
•Find out other ways to improve the energy efficiency of your windows.

Lower Your Water Heating Costs

Water heating can account for 14%-25% of the energy consumed in your home.
Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands.
•Find other strategies for energy-efficient water heating.

Tune up your HVAC equipment yearly

Maintenance Checklist
Maintain your equipment to prevent future problems and unwanted costs. Keep your cooling and heating system at peak performance by having a contractor do annual pre-season check-ups. Contractors get busy once summer and winter come, so it's best to check the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall. To remember, you might plan the check-ups around the time changes in the spring and fall.

A typical maintenance check-up should include the following.
Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system keeps you comfortable when you are home and saves energy while you are away.
Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components.
Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors and increases the amount of electricity you use.
Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels.
Check controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting cycle of the equipment to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.
Cooling Specific
Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce the system's ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
Check your central air conditioner's refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15 percent.
Heating Specific
Check all gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger. Improperly operating gas (or oil) connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger causes improper burner operation. Either can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently.
Actions To Do Yourself
Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump. Your contractor can show you how to do this. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, leading to early failure.

Heating Challenge:

As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills - and your comfort.

Heating Solutions:
Do it yourself
Change your air filter regularly
Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it.

At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool - wasting energy.
A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system - leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.
Tune up your HVAC equipment yearly
Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Learn more: Maintain your Equipment: A Checklist

Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.

Seal your heating and cooling ducts
Ducts that move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner, or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent - and sometimes much more.

Focus first on sealing ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement, or garage. Use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. After sealing the ducts in those spaces, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer or cold in the winter. Next, look to seal any other ducts that you can access in the heated or cooled part of the house.

Hire a Contractor
Learn about how to hire a contractor, what kinds of tools they use and how to find a contractor in your area.

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Funds are used to improve the energy performance of dwellings of needy families using the most advanced technologies and testing protocols available in the housing industry. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provides funding to states, U.S. overseas territories, and Indian tribal governments, which manage the day-to-day details of the program. These governments, in turn, fund a network of local community action agencies, nonprofit organizations, and local governments that provide these weatherization services in every state, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and among Native American tribes.

The energy conservation resulting from these efforts of state and local agencies helps our country reduce its dependence on foreign oil and decrease the cost of energy for families in need while improving the health and safety of their homes. During the past 33 years, WAP has provided weatherization services to more than 6.4 million low-income households. Families receiving weatherization services see their annual energy bills reduced by an average of about $350, depending on fuel prices. Because the energy improvements that make up weatherization services are long lived, the savings add up over time to substantial benefits for weatherization clients and their communities, and the nation as a whole.

Green Building Creates Green Jobs for a Green Economy

Green building creates green jobs, and green jobs will be crucial as we build a new green economy.

A new Booz Allen Hamilton study released by USGBC on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Greenbuild 2009 predicts green building will support or create 7.9 million jobs between 2009-2013 and will contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product.
Download the full study (PDF) »
Download a slideshow summary of the report (PPT) »

USGBC and its members have been deeply engaged in the current and ongoing discussion of America’s new green economy. The resources on this page will help you harness the power of USGBC’s work, whether you use our Career Center to find a green job or study the research on the role of green building in a green economy to do your part in advocating for an economically and environmentally sustainable American future.

Find a Green Job
The USGBC Career Center was constructed to help connect our members (employees and recruiters alike) with new employment opportunities, including great green jobs.

Top


Green Building Education
LEED Accredited Professional
The LEED AP Credential will help you become a more attractive candidate for green jobs. Find out how to achieve accreditation at GBCI.org »

Greenbuild 365
USGBC’s diverse educational offerings will help you in your professional development as you search for jobs in the new green economy. Visit the Course Catalog to access USGBC's educational offerings »

Education Provider Program
Take the next step in your green building education with USGBC's Education Provider Program. This program provides access to high-quality, peer-reviewed courses for professionals seeking to go beyond LEED and enrich their knowledge of green building theories, techniques, and business trends. Give yourself the competitive edge in an emerging green economy. Visit the Education Program Provider page on USGBC.org for more information »

Top


Government Resources
USGBC has compiled a comprehensive set of resources for state and local governments looking to make green building part of their own green economic recovery under the federal economic stimulus plan. Resources include free Stimulus Plan Implementation webcasts, tools to help local and state governments apply the economic stimulus to green building projects, and other resources. Green Economic Recovery Resources. »

Top

Air-Source Heat Pumps

An air-source heat pump can provide efficient heating and cooling for your home, especially if you live in a warm climate. When properly installed, an air-source heat pump can deliver one-and-a-half to three times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it consumes. This is possible because a heat pump moves heat rather than converting it from a fuel, like in combustion heating systems.

Although air-source heat pumps can be used in nearly all parts of the United States, they do not generally perform well over extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures. In regions with sub-freezing winter temperatures, it may not be cost effective to meet all your heating needs with a standard air-source heat pump.

However, new systems with gas heating as a backup are able to overcome this problem. There is also a "Cold Climate Heat Pump" which shows promise, but is currently facing manufacturing problems. In addition, a version called the "Reverse Cycle Chiller" claims to be able to operate efficiently at below-freezing temperatures.


In cooling mode, an air-source heat pump evaporates a refrigerant in the indoor coil; as the liquid evaporates it pulls heat from the air in the house. After the gas is compressed, it passes into the outdoor coil and condenses, releasing heat to the outside air. The pressure changes caused by the compressor and the expansion valve allow the gas to condense at a high temperature outside and evaporate at a lower temperature indoors.
How They Work
A heat pump's refrigeration system consists of a compressor and two coils made of copper tubing (one indoors and one outside), which are surrounded by aluminum fins to aid heat transfer. In the heating mode, liquid refrigerant in the outside coils extracts heat from the air and evaporates into a gas. The indoor coils release heat from the refrigerant as it condenses back into a liquid. A reversing valve, near the compressor, can change the direction of the refrigerant flow for cooling as well as for defrosting the outdoor coils in winter.
When outdoor temperatures fall below 40°F, a less-efficient panel of electric resistance coils, similar to those in your toaster, kicks in to provide indoor heating. This is why air-source heat pumps aren't always very efficient for heating in areas with cold winters. Some units now have gas-fired backup furnaces instead of electric resistance coils, allowing them to operate more efficiently

Products Eligible for Tax Credits Through 2010

The products in this section are eligible for tax credits at 30% of the cost, up to a total credit of $1,500; they must be "placed in service" from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010. Select "See Details" under each section below for more information on each product.

Note that the $1,500 maximum limit is for all of the efficiency measures combined over the two-year 2009-2010 period; you can purchase up to $5,000 worth of products over the two years and get 30% or $1,500 as a tax credit. If you get the full $1,500 tax credit in 2009, you are not eligible for a tax credit on these products in 2010.

The maximum does not apply to geothermal heat pumps, solar energy systems, wind energy systems, and fuel cells, which have no upper limit and are listed below under "Products Eligible for Tax Credits Through 2016." You can receive both the tax credit capped at $1,500 and the tax credit for products with no upper limit. See the ENERGY STAR FAQ for more information on tax credit amounts.

Geothermal: Earth‐wise Energy

Is a free and renewable source of energy too good to be true? Can the earth provide a means to heat and air
condition your home or business? Welcome to Geothermal Energy. Let’s look at how Geothermal Energy is being
used for heating and air conditioning.
Environmental awareness has become an important aspect in society today. This environmental awareness has seen
itself enter into air conditioning decisions. Although not the sole factor in decisions made by homeowners and
businesses for their air conditioning needs, most individuals would choose a solution that is environmentally
friendly, economically feasible and energy efficient. What better way to meet these requirements than to use the
earth itself to help heat and cool your home or business. According to the Department of Energy and the EPA,
geothermal systems are the most environmentally friendly way to accomplish this.
Geothermal systems, and more specifically Geothermal Heat Pumps, utilize the natural properties of the Earth to
dissipate or capture heat for the water loop. No matter your location or climate variations, the temperature below
ground stays fairly consistent, between 50 F and 60 F, all year. This ground temperature is warmer than the air
above it in the winter and cooler than the air in the summer. Geothermal Heat Pumps operate in an identical fashion
to Water-Source Heat Pumps without the need for cooling towers or boilers. Depending upon cooling or heating
mode, the system will either extract heat from the air inside the space and reject it back into the earth loop
(cooling); or, heat will be extracted from the ground and distributed to the space as warm air (heating).
Geothermal Earth Loops come in several different configurations. They are classified as either Closed Loop or
Open Loop systems. Closed-loop systems circulate a water based solution through high density polyethylene
underground pipes. Closed-loop systems can be installed horizontally, vertically or in a lake. Horizontal loops are
installed in trenches and run horizontally in the trenches. Vertical loops utilize small bore holes drilled into the
ground and have the loop pipe inserted into the bores. Lake loops, on the other hand, utilize an assembly of pipes
placed at the bottom of a pond or lake to accomplish the geothermal transfer. Open loop systems pump water from
a well or surface body of water and discharge the water into another body of water or water well.
By using the earth as your means of energy transfer, Geothermal Heat Pumps operate more efficiently than ordinary
heating and air conditioning systems. With efficiencies up to 30 EER, the energy savings over a conventional air
conditioning system can be substantial. Due to the huge energy savings of Geothermal Heat Pumps, the federal
government, the State of Florida and local utilities encourage and incentivize the use of Geothermal Heat Pumps.
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009. The
Act provided specific incentives for energy efficient residential and commercial HVAC equipment. The most
aggressive incentive in the act was directed towards Geothermal Heat Pumps. The act allows for an individual
Federal Tax Credit of up to 30% of the installed cost for geothermal heat pump installations in a residence. Unlike
capping the central air conditioning tax credit to $1,500, the 30% Federal Tax Credit for geothermal does not have a
cap on the total savings. For installations on commercial applications, there is a 10% Federal Tax Credit with no
limit as well. The Act also allows for accelerated depreciation benefits and a 50% first year “bonus” depreciation
for business property placed in service between 2008 and 2009.
On top of the cost benefits provided by the H.R. 1 Act, the state of Florida recognizes the energy efficiency benefits
and provides a further incentive to add Geothermal systems into a business or home. Under Florida law, the
Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption, HB 7135, improved real property upon which a renewable energy
source device is installed and operated is entitled to an exemption in the amount of the original cost of the device,
including the installation cost. Per Amendment 3, this exemption is authorized for 10 years on a commercial
application; but can be authorized for more than 10 years on a residential application.
Many utilities throughout the state of Florida offer rebates to homeowners and business for use of energy efficient
air conditioning systems. Although not all may offer geothermal specific system rebates, the majority of utilities
offer rebates for high SEER or EER watersource systems. FPL, for example, offers up to a $1,000 rebate to
homeowners for 19+ EER watersource systems on residential applications. With some utilities, you may also work
directly with utility account managers on commercial projects to come up with incentives specific to a geothermal
designed project. Click on the “Utility Rebates For Your Area” on www.myfloridahvac.com to provide you with
links to all the rebates offered by utilities throughout Florida.

Duct Sealing

In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts are used to distribute conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical house, however, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set.

How do you know that your home has poorly performing ducts?

you have high summer and winter utility bills;
you have rooms that are difficult to heat and cool;
you have stuffy rooms that never seem to feel comfortable;
your ducts are located in an attic, crawlspace, or the garage;
you find tangled or kinked flexible ducts in your system.

Let Mold And Bacteria See The Light

think of it this way
Using UV lights is similar to washing your hands before you
eat, except you’re cleaning the air before you breathe it.

Ask about Proper Installation of your new equipment

Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with new, energy-efficient models is a great start. But to make sure that you get the best performance, the new equipment must be properly installed. In fact, improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent — costing you more on your utility bills and possibly shortening the equipment's life.

Saying Goodbye to an Old, Clunky, Digital Friend

EPA and its Plug-In partners, including AT&T, Best Buy, LG Electronics, Samsung Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and RecyleBank, are holding a series of activities across the country during National Cell Phone Recycling Week.
By recycling cell phones, we conserve materials, prevent air and water pollution, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that occur during the manufacturing process. When cell phones are recycled, the precious metals, copper, and plastics are used to create new cell phones.

"Building a Healthy & Sustainable Community Today"

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes the growing diversity of our nation and is working to engage more communities in environmental leadership and awareness of issues affecting them.

Ask for referrals

Ask friends, neighbors, and co-workers for contractor referrals. You can also contact local trade organizations for names of members in your area.
"Isn't time Experience TRUE indoor comfort?

Action Energy Solutions

REDUCE YOUR ENERGY BILL BY APPROX 30%EVERY MONTH!

Restore your heating and air conditioning system to its very best condition.

Your home heating and air conditioning system serves you many more hours than your car, and, like your car, needs routine tune-ups to operate in an efficient, safe, and reliable manner.