Geothermal | Solar Thermal

Geothermal and radiant: An energy-efficient powerhouse

kim.bliss@uponor.com (Kim Bliss) — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Radiant heating and cooling systems integrated with geothermal ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) offer an energy-efficient, comfortable, and sustainable approach to indoor climate control. This combined system leverages the stable temperatures of the Earth to provide heating and cooling through radiant surfaces, most commonly on floors but also on walls or ceilings.

Demystifying ground source heat pumps

dyates@consultyates.com (Dave Yates) — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

GSHP systems have one primary significant difference: the outdoor refrigerant coil and fan are absent. Instead of these components, the functions of the outdoor condenser have been integrated into the indoor unit, resulting in a hybrid condenser and evaporator unit.

A new generation of Thermal Energy Networks

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The 2024 Uniform Mechanical Code's Chapter 17 introduces Thermal Energy Networks (TEN), enabling buildings to independently manage heating and cooling sustainably, reducing environmental impact and enhancing energy efficiency across communities.

GeoExchange launches geothermal awareness initiative

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0500

Mission Geo’s infrastructure development efforts will include a blend of public relations, public affairs, workforce education, social media, and event sponsorships to reach key stakeholders.

Want to retain employees? Give them a reason to stay

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Retaining skilled employees is vital for plumbing and HVAC contractors. High turnover leads to disruptions and decreased customer satisfaction. To address this, many are finding innovative ways to encourage retention, including unique approaches from new companies.

Inflation Reduction Act marks second anniversary

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Last month marked the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the most significant U.S. federal action on climate change. With over $369 billion allocated to energy and climate programs, the IRA has driven unprecedented growth in renewable energy, boosting solar, wind, and battery storage, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions and lowering energy costs.

IAPMO, Pace to publish UMC Chapter 17 as standalone document for Geothermal Energy Systems and Ambient Temperature Loops (ATL)

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400

The document addresses the need for enforceable safety provisions for geothermal district ambient temperature loop systems.

Greenwashing and geothermal HVAC technologies

jegg@egggeo.com (Jay Egg) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Greenwashing is deceptive advertising that uses green PR to make products seem eco-friendly and desensitizes consumers to environmental claims. TerraChoice describes "seven sins of greenwashing" to help consumers spot misleading environmental claims.

Water-to-water heat pumps meet stringent efficiency requirements for new school facility

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

A North Vancouver school chose WaterFurnace for its reliability and energy efficiency. The manufacturer's rep mentioned that the equipment aligned with decarbonization efforts. Finances were a concern, as is usual with building projects.

Thermal Energy Networks for HVAC&W

Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Circulating ground-temperature water in a Thermal Energy Network (TEN) provides efficient heating and cooling, reducing costs and mitigating climate change through decarbonization. The water must be kept within a specific temperature range, known as the performance zone.

Climate Control Group celebrates 75 years

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

IEC, a subsidiary of Climate Control Group, celebrated its 75th anniversary in October.

IRA reduces cost barriers for geothermal heating and cooling

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has delivered good news in the form of federal income tax credits and accelerated depreciation deductions that help make geothermal a more attractive option.

Jay Egg and Kristy Egg: What the IRA provides for geothermal technologies

jegg@egggeo.com (Jay Egg) — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

In 2009 under President Barack Obama, the economic stimulus package of 2009 was signed into law. Egg Geo was a regional engineering and contracting company in the southeastern United States with robust business in our central Florida offices.

New Geothermal GSHP Piping Systems document available

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

PPI MS-7 includes detailed specifications for four plastic piping materials which have been proven in ground-source heat exchange systems: HDPE, PE-RT, PEX, and PP (PP-R and PP-RCT).

Zaid Rahman: 3 credit card considerations for plumbing contractors

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0500

While most plumbers may like to think that they’re mostly serving routine maintenance or installation customers, the most common nature of those calls is likely panicked customers with a burst pipe, a backed-up toilet or another emergency that needs a response ASAP.

Ross Goldstein: Waste heat recovery from solar PV

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400

A little-known fact about solar electric panels is that the hotter the panel itself, the less efficient it becomes. Studies have found a 0.05% efficiency loss for every degree of temperature that is increased. The reverse is true in that efficiency increases by 0.05% for every degree temperature decreases.

DOE invests $6M in geothermal heating and cooling technologies at federal facilities

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

New technical assistance capacity will help the federal government lead by example in demonstrating benefits and potential of decarbonizing buildings with geothermal energy.

Ross Goldstein: Creating cooling and dehumidification using solar thermal or waste heat

Tue, 10 May 2022 00:00:00 -0400

There are multiple ways to dehumidify a space — mechanical, reheat and desiccant to name a few. The biggest issue has been that conventional air conditioning units are only 10% effective at removing humidity. Until now, standard de-humidification systems were expensive to purchase and install.

Propane and solar energy: How using both can improve sustainability and comfort

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0500

Hybrid systems that run on propane and solar can be tailored to a project’s unique needs, providing lower first costs and reduced ongoing energy costs and emissions.

Ross Goldstein: Design your system for the ‘what ifs’

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

A lot of things are out of your control when working on a job involving multiple trades. Whenever I design any type of system, I always go down a list of “what ifs.” The “what ifs” are scenarios that can affect the performance of a system due to an unknown. This includes actions by other trades.

Geothermal heat pumps: The solution for residential developments

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

What does a looming housing shortage, a significant increase in energy prices and 52% of home buyers ready to heat and cool their homes with electricity have in common? They’re all remedied in the same way: All-geothermal residential developments.

Hydronic heat pumps ride the tide of electrification

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0400

According to the United Nations, 2019 was the second warmest year on record at the end of the warmest decade (2010-2019) ever recorded.

RPA, Hydronics Industry Alliance partner with Egg Geothermal to offer webinar series

Thu, 27 May 2021 12:00:00 -0400

Each module is $140 for RPA and IAPMO members, and $170 for non-members.

Geothermal, the model of environmentally-friendly

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0500

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, more than half (51%) of the energy used in U.S. homes is directly spent on just two end uses, heating and air-conditioning. As such, producing a comfortable temperature within your living space creates one of the biggest carbon footprints of our modern living environment.

IAPMO publishes Installation Standard for Residential Solar Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Systems

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 09:40:00 -0500

The 2021 USHGC is scheduled to be published in early 2021.

Australia headquarter's net zero system highlights IAPMO's commitment to innovative green technology

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 16:30:00 -0400

The state-of-the-art facility houses IAPMO R&T’s Oceana research center and product testing laboratory.

First net zero energy education and research facility in Victoria

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0400

The training facility, designed for the plumbing industry, will generate all energy required to support the operation of the building on site through the incorporation of several renewable energy technologies.

Thermostatic mixing valve: Temperature control for solar heat

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 14:00:00 -0500

Webstone, a brand of NIBCO, introduces the new Thermostatic Mixing Valve for high-temperature solar heat sources.

Single coil solution

hydronicpros@gmail.com (John Siegenthaler, P.E.) — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0500

Some renewable energy heat sources require large thermal storage tanks. Examples include systems’ biomass boilers and solar thermal collectors.

John Siegenthaler: Picking winners

hydronicpros@gmail.com (John Siegenthaler, P.E.) — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0400

The U.S. geothermal heat pump industry was breaking out the champagne on Feb. 9, 2018. That’s the day President Donald Trump signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, a bill that boosted government spending by hundreds of billions of dollars.