Due to construction of the new home, the homeowners were able pay attention to their energy usage and climate change concerns. The house features state of the art insulation, a ground source heat pump (geothermal energy), and a solar photovoltaic system on the roof for production of electricity. The house also has Very tight envelope with R-50 walls. Ground source heat pump (GSHP) providing hydronic in-floor heating on the first floor. GSHP and domestic hot water.

Renovation of an unoccupied foreclosure presented the homeowners opportunities to act on their concern about the environment and resource consumption. They installed a ground source heat pump (geothermal energy) for home heating and cooling, and a hybrid air source heat pump electric water heater. A Ground source heat pump (GSHP) for air heating and cooling was installed. A Heat pump paper heater (HPWH) for domestic hot water [hybrid of electric water heater and air source heat pump (ASHP)] were also installed.

Concerned about the high cost of heating their house with propane, as well as the importance of dealing with climate change, the homeowners switched to a ground source heat pump (geothermal energy) to heat and cool their home. They also added solar photovoltaic electricity. They installed a solar array containing roughly a 15 kW roof-top array installed in 2014.

The homeowners originally had a propane-fuel water tank for their hot water supply and no air conditioning. Concerned about climate change and the price volatility of fossil fuel, as well as wanting to avoid the burden of cutting wood for a wood furnace, the homeowners switched to a ground source heat pump (geothermal energy) to heat and cool their home. The homeowners are pleased with the outcome, remarking that: “It feels good to be part of the solution to global warming.” 

The homeowner says the system was “exactly what I had hoped for”. With a growing concern about the environment and the need to replace an aging natural gas boiler. The homeowner chose to install an air source heat pump to heat and cool his home. A solar photovoltaic array had been installed a year earlier. The homeowner was concerned about the environment and wanted to move away from fossil fuels.

The homeowner had previously installed photovoltaic panels and a heat pump water heater for the home. However, when an oil furnace failed in the middle of winter 2018-2019, the decision to convert to a ground source heat pump became clear. The installation happened in the dead of winter, with geothermal drilling happening during a Polar Votex. It was drilled by Nothnagel drilling, in sub-zero temperatures, proving that these systems can be installed year-round.

The Campbells were concerned about the impact fossil fuel combustion was having on the environment, as well as their high energy bills. In 2010 they made adjustments. They abandoned coal for a six ton, horizontal, ground source heat pump and then improved their home performance by adding foam insulation. An 8,750 watt solar photovoltaic unit was installed in 2012. The homeowners note the added comfort and safety of their home after making this transition. They now have the added benefit of air conditioning and can avoid the risks associated with burning fossil fuels.

Eager to find a solution to high energy bills, the Kimballs switched from fossil fuels to heat pumps and also made energy efficiency upgrades. The system has already paid for itself and the household saves $1,500-$2,000 per year. “The systems have exceeded our expectations in all regards," the Kimballs state. Their motivation for installing heat pump technology was fueled by a dying oil fired furnace and a desire for air conditioning.

The Finlayson-Schuelers went geothermal in 2010, as the environmental harm caused by climate change was becoming more widely known. “It was just the right thing to do,” explains Ted Finlayson-Schueler. They gained the added benefit of air conditioning and a more comfortable home! They now have a four ton geothermal system with a horizontal loop field, as well as solar panels and solar hot water.

Motivated by concern about climate change, the Clausens converted from heating with fuel oil to a geothermal heating system in 2016. This complements their decision to install additional solar photovoltaic units in 2017 (adding to a system installed by previous owners in 2012).