Geoff Hoffer, co-owner of Aztech Geo-thermal in Ballston Spa, installed the Robichauds’ system. Aztech’s customers include people building a new home, and those retrofitting homes by removing their existing system and installing geo-thermal piping beneath the house. Once installed, the system becomes a powerhouse, supplying the home with more than enough natural energy.
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eo-thermal heating and cooling has been around since the 1950s, but during that time, people had a ready source of fuel, and weren’t as concerned about alternative energy sources, Hoffer says. “Now people across the board are becoming more aware. I’ve seen a definite increase in interest that’s growing every year,” he says. “As the price of oil and propane continue to rise, I expect to see more people looking for geo-thermal.” Hoffer says he has a 50/50 split between new home construction and retrofitting existing homes with the Earth-friendly heating and cooling system.
geothermal heat pump hot water tank
ground loops
Geo-thermal system illustration by Emily Jahn.
Here’s how it works: The installer drills into the earth and lays down piping. The depth of the drill varies. In the Robichauds’ case, they dug down 450 feet. This upper crust of the earth absorbs and holds the heat from the sun, while maintaining a stable temperature of 50 degrees all year. This stored energy from the sun is enough to fuel a home’s heating and cooling system without any reliance on heating oil. “It’s like a big battery of solar energy that’s always available,” Hoffer says. “When the energy is drawn out of the area where the pipes are laid, more energy naturally flows into that space, constantly replenishing it.” As a result, the Robichauds only pay for the electricity they use: They have no costs for heating and cooling. Geo-thermal systems have other advantages as well, including a 30 percent federal tax credit for the installation, lower homeowner insurance premiums because combustible fuel isn’t being piped into the home, and an increase in the value of the home for resale. The Robichauds’ geo-thermal system cost about $21,000, compared to a conventional heating system installation of about $12,000. But they received a $7,000 federal tax credit, and, thanks to their heating and cooling savings, they should recoup that investment within a couple years of utility costs. And, as the cold winds blow, the Robichauds are sitting pretty in their lovely home, with indoor temperatures they say are ideal. “It’s extremely comfortable in here, and it’s a clean system. … I definitely notice a difference in the amount of dust and particles in the air,” Loraine says. “I’ve actually had to turn the heat down because our house holds the warm air so well.” @ timesunion.com/lifeathome
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