Geothermal heat pumps, geothermal, ground-source heat pumps, ground-coupled heat pumps, GHP, GSHP, GeoExchange, Closed Loop, Open Loop, Direct Exchange, Standing Column Well
How You Can Use Geothermal To Gain LEED Certification
Here is an excerpt from a white paper I just published on how and where a ground source heat pump can be utilized to gain LEED certification.
By now, nearly everyone has at least heard of LEED but not many understand what it means to be LEED-certified or how best to earn certification. Developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design”. Simply put, LEED is a grading system for sustainable building design and construction.
The goal of the program is to encourage the construction of buildings that use less energy, water and natural resources in order to minimize the impact of a structure on the local environment during construction and throughout its useful life. Needless to say, geothermal heating and cooling systems can go a long way to supporting all of these goals.
The LEED rating system works by requiring a minimum level of performance through prerequisites organized under eight different categories. Once you are able to meet the minimum performance requirements in each category, any improvements above and beyond are rewarded through a points system. The eight categories are:
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The 9 Best Geothermal and Solar Resources on the Internet
This is a simple post. Here are our favorite solar and geothermal resources we’ve run into (or created!) over the past couple years that are really useful resources for understanding the technology, basic design, policy and sales of solar and geothermal systems. Tell us what we’ve missed.
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How to Overcome the Top Five Objections in Selling Geothermal and Solar
Getting jobs is the hardest part of the renewable energy industry. My goal is to provide you with the appropriate resources and advice needed to sell jobs and grow your business.
These objections will come up equally when selling geothermal, solar thermal, or solar photovoltaic systems. Here are the top five objections when selling renewables and a couple tips on how to overcome them.
Price
Payback/ROI
Is the technology proven?
How does the technology compare to other alternatives?
Dealer support and service
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The Third Most Common Mistake Made Designing Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
This is the last part in a three part serious about the three most common errors that geothermal designers make when designing ground source heat pumps system. If you’ve been following, the main concern for a very simple reason, the geothermal industry is small but quickly growing so it’ll be best to minimize any black eyes from poor system design.
In my last two posts, I’ve outlined the first two big mistake made by designers.
Underestimating the importance of accurate peak heating and cooling load calculations
Not Giving Proper Consideration to Alternatives posted on Heating Help.com
The third mistake is simple, don’t overcomplicate the design.
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Three Most Common Mistakes Made by Geothermal Designers
If you’re new to the geothermal heat pump industry, read the Geothermal 101 Reading list. It has free tools and articles on geothermal design and installation, and sales and marketing best practices.
Working in the ground source heat pump (GSHP) industry, especially in a small company where you are asked to take on the role of salesman and designer, you will find yourself answering the same questions with each new customer. Get used to it. If you work in the industry long enough, you will be asked every question under the sun. How will this system heat my home when the soil temperatures are only 50 degrees? What if I want to keep it warmer in my house? Do I need to buy an air conditioner too? How does a heat pump work? The list goes on and on.
The truth is, the average homeowner doesn’t understand how their central air conditioner works (or the refrigerator in their kitchen for that matter). They just know it works. When you mention the term “geothermal heat pump” or “ground source heat pump” to your prospective customer, all of a sudden you find yourself in uncharted territory. Then the questions begin.
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