Geothermal Air Conditioning: An interview with Jay Egg of Egg Systems
I want to thank Jay Egg for taking the time to answer my questions with his very busy schedule. Jay is the owner of Egg Systems International, a leading provider of geothermal air conditioning systems. Geothermal HVAC is a new technology for me, so I asked Jay to provide some background to the technology as well as some practical information for homeowners. For more information about Egg Systems and geothermal air conditioning, go to www.geothermalsolutions.info.
How does geothermal air conditioning work?
Outdoor temperatures fluctuate with the changing seasons but underground temperatures don’t. Four to six feet below the earth’s surface, temperatures remain relatively constant year-round. A geothermal system, which typically consists of an indoor unit and a buried earth loop, capitalizes on these constant temperatures to provide “free” energy. In winter, fluid circulating through the system’s earth loop absorbs stored heat and carries it indoors. The indoor unit compresses the heat to a higher temperature and distributes it throughout the building. In summer, the system reverses, pulling heat from the building, carrying it through the earth loop and depositing it in the cooler earth.
How long has geothermal air conditioning been available for homeowners?
About 35 years or more.
How much would the average geothermal HVAC system cost for a 2000 square foot home?
We find that systems costs range from $6000 to $9000 per ton. A 2000 foot home will need about 4 tons of air conditioning. The cost is between $24,000 and $36,000.
I noticed you cover Tampa, Orlando and Atlanta. In what areas is geothermal HVAC most viable?
In Florida, the high ground water table allows for a good heat transfer. In Georgia, the cooler Earth allow for a good efficient exchangers for the hot summers. Because of the relatively constant temperatures in the Earth, the viability is a close tie, in my opinion.
Geothermal Air-conditioning seems to work anywhere the you can drill for water, or to put in closed loop piping. The website http://www.epa.gov/Athens/learn2model/part-two/onsite/ex/jne_henrys_map.htm gives a good idea of what your starting temperature is. Anything above freezing, or below 90 degrees is worth the investment in my opinion.
How much land is needed for a homeowner to be able to place the required piping for geothermal air conditioning?
When it is possible, and especially when we have limited land, we recommend pump and reinject technology (click here for video: Pump and Reinject Technology).
What rebates and credits are available to help a homeowner afford to install a geothermal HVAC system?
The federal rebate is in the form of a tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of installation of the Geothermal systems. There are state and local incentives that are impressive as well: http://geothermalsolutions.info/residential_rebates.html.
What are the optimal scenarios for a homeowner to consider installing a geothermal air conditioning system?
I believe geothermal needs one of two scenarios:
- Customer is considering replacing the AC unit anyway due to age or upgrade needs. At this point the incentives and efficiency offer a remarkable payback to up sell to and Egg geothermal Air conditioner.
- New construction. It seems to always make sense to put a geothermal in during new construction.
The real key is that if you are in the market to buy an Air conditioning system, the federal rebates make it viable to upgrade to a geothermal Air Conditioner.
What are some recent advancements in the area of geothermal air conditioning?
Higher efficiency due to Variable speed blowers, and two speed compressors have pushed efficiency ratings into the 30EER range. This is 3 times the efficiency of much of the equipment currently installed, and twice the efficiency of geothermal systems that we started with in the ’90’s.
Other than geothermal air conditioning, what other green technologies do you view as most important in the coming decade for homeowners?
Photovoltaic and solar water heating are my personal best bets.
How did you find yourself in the world of geothermal air conditioning?
After serving in the Navy, I settled in Orlando. I continued my work in the HVAC field as the Service Manager of a Statewide company at the age of 24.
In about 1990, I thought that I had invented geothermal, or ground water cooled air conditioning. As it turned out, It had been around for quite some time, and Oklahoma State University had done extensive work in the design. I traveled there and was certified as a designer. It became the focus of Egg Systems. In about 1995, we began to expand our focus to other HVAC technologies. But we never stopped doing the geothermal Cooling.
When we heard about the Stimulus Package, we began to focus once again on this technology. We’re having a remarkable response to Egg Geothermal Air Conditioning marketing. Because of the unprecedented Rebate for Geothermal Credit in the new Stimulus Package, and our extensive experience over the past 20 years, Channel 8 in Tampa just filmed an Egg Geothermal Installation, and will air it as early as next week in a Green Segment of the news, and Channel 13 is asking for a spot. We have engineered millions of dollars worth commercial and residential systems, and we are currently under a backlog of dozens of Geothermal Air Conditioning units, some of which are being highly publicized. We have optimized our websites for geothermal HVAC.
Jay, his wife Kristy and 4 children (all wearing GREEN!) reside in Hudson, Florida
Final Thoughts. I want to thank Jay again for his time. Geothermal air conditioning is a fascinating alternative energy technology for homeowners that is gaining popularity as an option for homeowners upgrading to more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly HVAC systems.
Residential Geothermal Rebates
As a home owner you can receive a 30% tax credit on any Geothermal Heat Pump that meets or exceeds EnergyStar requirements. All Egg Geothermal Heat pumps Qualify for this tremendous tax Credit.
The tax credit applies to all the costs you incur when Egg Systems installs your new high efficiency Geothermal Heating and Cooling System(s).
You can file for the credit by completing the Renewable Energy Credits subsection on your tax return forms. If you are subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax, you can claim the credit on your taxes for the following year. No proof of purchase will be required; however, in case of an audit, you are encouraged to keep a detailed invoice of your investment on file. After your new Egg Geothermal Heating and Cooling System is installed we will indicate that it is a "Geothermal Heat Pump" on the invoice and note that it "Exceeds requirements of the Energy Star program currently in effect".
The tax credit is available through December 31, 2016. Consult your local tax professional for advice on taking advantage of the tax credit, as this announcement is not intended as a recommendation or endorsement of any financial strategy.
Helpful Resources
- See Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency at Energy Star
- IRS form 5695 for 2008 Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit (note max credit amount limited to $2000 - no limit in 2009)
- More Information about the "Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit"
- Find additional tax incentives that may be available in your state - Florida Home Owners Georgia Home Owners
Consult your tax professional for details.
*Form 5695 for the 2009 tax year not yet available.
Egg History
In the Spring and innocence of 1941, Theron John Egg formed Theron Egg Plumbing in Soda Springs Idaho. It was a less complicated time before World War II and just as the country was emerging from the long night of the Great Depression and things were better. Even the phone number of the new business was simple... just dial "100" and you'd get Theron Egg's Plumbing, operated out of a small store front in downtown Soda Springs.
Through hard work and excellent service, the business flourished, even at a time when most services weren't much more than four bits. In fact, since Mr. Egg was the only plumber for miles in every direction and served as such an integral part of the local economy, the U.S. Government deferred his service during the war since drafting him would cause a tremendous hardship on the people of the area.
Theron J. Egg married Stella in 1935 and they were blessed with 2 children. Theron Jay Egg, Sr., though he became a school teacher, insured that the practical aspects of the trades didn't elude his sons. His 6 sons, 9 children in all, had plenty of opportunities for construction experience which is where Theron Jay Egg, Jr. got his start as a contractor.
After service in the United States Navy, Jay came to Florida and formed the company in 1990. He married Kristy Richards in 1998 and together, they have six children. Today, this eldest grandson of Theron John Egg the plumber now operates Egg Systems International and a small group of related companies throughout the Southeastern United States. The commitment to excellence and hard work hasn't changed over the generations and remains the root that nourishes the growth of the organization.
Making a kid's nature journal
A kid's nature journal is a fun and educational way to spend some of that extra time in the summer. A journal is easy to do, and can be as simple as an inexpensive notebook or as complex as a handmade, DIY book-literally anything that a child can write in and illustrate will work just fine.
A nature journal is basically just an informal way of recording the natural world, and it is accomplished by using the senses. Nature journals have been used for hundreds of years, and many have ben the basis for new discoveries-even to this day.
A nice prologue to this activity is to utilize resources such as the library and/or the internet to show the child examples of nature journals. A little preliminary time on the subject will lay the groundwork for a journal and hopefully help the child to branch off in their own direction to make the journal more personalized.
The core idea behind a nature journal is getting children outside, and allowing them to use their senses to experience and interpret what is in the world around them. By watching, listening, smelling, and feeling-kids can gain new perspectives regarding the natural world. There is no right or wrong-it is strictly their personal perception of what it is they are enjoying-and through this activity kids can gain a fuller appreciation of the environment.
Once the book has been obtained, filling it out is completely up to the child. Some helpful suggestions might include adding the date and time of the observations, descriptions of what is experienced, and an illustration if possible. Any follow up research on what has been recorded in the journal can be of enormous value too, and it can go right in the notebook as an "update."
Creating a journal can be rewarding not only for the child but also for the adult involved in the project-and you might be surprised by some of the discoveries just waiting to be made by a young, curious mind!
How to make an easy worm compost system.
Using worms in a compost is a fast and efficient way to create marvelous compost and fertilizing liquid. "Vermiculture" is gaining in popularity for many reasons, not the least of which is that worm compost bins are relatively small, odorless, and can be maintained in areas other than the yard. In cooler regions, worm composts can even be kept in the garage! A worm compost system is a simple way to reduce landfill waste and produce your own fertilizer at the same time.
To create a worm compost, the first thing you will need is a bin. Rubber storage bins are fantastic for this purpose, and they can be easily stacked for multiple bins. Wood, plastic, and metal can also be used, but most of these materials will eventually degrade and require replacement. When you have obtained your bin, ventilation holes will need to be drilled throughout the sides and top to provide air circulation for the worms. Contrary to popular opinion, worms require quite a bit of air flow and tend not to thrive in environments that are kept too wet. ALong these same lines, it is helpful if the bin is elevated (bricks will work nicely) to keep the air flow circulating. Needless to say, it is imperative that a top be used to cover the compost to keep it from completely drying out.
Next, use strips of newspaper of newspaper, hay, leaves, or a similar material to provide fiber for the worms. Add a thin layer of clean dirt and thoroughly moisten. Leave your bin alone for about a day to allow the moisture to soak into the bedding, and your bin should be ready for the worms.
Worms are best obtained from a gardening club, as worms straight from your backyard are not typically recommended. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is that the worms in your yard may not produce much composting material and they are likely to require deep tunnels which are impossible to create in a relatively shallow bin.
Once the worms are in place, the maintenance of the bin is relatively simple. Lightly sprinkle the bin every other day or so with moisture, and feed your worms paper or vegetable waste.
That's pretty much it. You will see that as the worm population increases, the amount of material you place in the bin will disappear at faster and faster rates. As time goes on, you may consider increasing the number of bins as your worm population increases-and you may even one day find it difficult to keep up with your compost!
Having a worm compost system ensures that your garden will be on the receiving end of some absolutely fantastic fertilizer, while your local landfill will be receiving less waste from your household.
Nature's very own pest control-bats!
An easy, low-cost project that you can do to help control the mosquito and beetle population in your neighborhood is to build a bat box!
Bats have dwelled in the mists of legend and folklore for generations, and is it only recently that the myths surrounding these misunderstood little mammals have been refuted.
There are over 1000 species of bats worldwide, and they make up nearly one quarter of all living mammals on the planet!
Every state with the exception of Hawaii has bats, and the majority of bats in the United States are insect eaters-which is where the bat box comes into play. Bats eat several times their own weight in insects every single night, and they are increasingly being encouraged to "move in" by communities and industries as a natural form of pest control.
Depending upon how large your bat box is, it may be able to hold up to 200 of these beneficial little mammals-with each bat eating hundreds of insects each and every night.
Bat boxes are slim, wooden structures with an opening at the bottom for the bats to enter and leave through. Also, a good bat box contains several roosting chambers (the best designs include three or more chambers), and each chamber is at least 20" tall, 14" wide and 3/4" deep.
Placement of the bat box is imperative to ensure that not only will the box attract bats, but that it will maintain whatever size colony that decides to occupy your artificial habitat. In general, most bats prefer very warm temperatures during the day, and the box should be placed in an area where it can receive the most sunlight. Also, the box should be placed high enough that predators will be unable to access the colony.
There are numerous examples and templates for bat boxes online, and it is a fairly simple matter to do a little research and even determine what species of bat(s!) that might be inhabiting your box.
Building a bat box can be a rewarding experience, both as a learning tool and as a contribution to the environment.
Help control the insect population and provide suitable habitat for one of the planet's most misunderstood animals!
Geothermal (GeoExchange) Heat Pump Technology is Poised to Support Economic Recovery and Long-Term Energy goals
The stimulus package is intended to create and save 3.6 million jobs and jumpstart the economy with economic recovery tax cuts and targeted investments. In addition to putting money back in the pockets of consumers and businesses, the package also includes provisions that will help achieve long-term goals, such as improving energy efficiency in both the public and private sectors.
Among those provisions, the plan calls for a disbursement of $6.9 billion to state and local governments for energy efficiency upgrades and the reduction of carbon emissions, which amounts to an average of $100 million to each state.
By investing a portion of this $100 million in rebates or low interest loans to homeowners who replace their old fossil fuel or electric furnaces with geothermal heat pumps, the country would definitely make progress toward the goals of the stimulus package. States that have invested in similar programs were able to create hundreds of green collar jobs while significantly increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
Green Jobs. An additional state $2,000 rebate on the purchase of a geothermal heat pump - or the availability of low interest loans - could generate an additional 200 heat pump sales every month in a typical state, or 2,400 geothermal heat pump unit sales at the end of the first year. Further, every 18 heat pump installations can create one new job. By the end of the first year that means 133 new green collar jobs can be created (2,400 units divided by 18 installations per job). At $2,000 per unit, the total cost of a job creation/energy efficiency rebate program would be $4.8 million over the course of a year.
Every geothermal heat pump requires 24 hours of manufacturing labor and 32 hours of installation labor. Small businesses involved in the installation include heating and air conditioning contractors, electricians, plumbers, excavators and drilling machine operators. These businesses have the capacity and technical skills to begin installing green geothermal technology in more homes immediately.
Reduced Carbon Footprint. In addition to creating jobs, a rebate program and the ensuing installation of geothermal heat pumps would cut an average four metric tons of carbon emissions per year per unit due to the high energy efficiency of geothermal heat pump technology. This means that for the average unit life of 24.4 years, 97.6 metric tons of emissions could be eliminated over the lifetime of each unit, and 234,240 tons over the lifetime of every 2,400 units sold through a state rebate program.
A recent report published by Oak Ridge National Laboratory estimated that aggressive deployment of GHPs could achieve 35 to 40 percent of a recommended carbon reduction path for the U.S. building sector. The full report can be downloaded at ornl232.geoexchange.org
If every state takes at least five percent of the funding available through the energy efficiency portion of the stimulus package and invests it in a geothermal heat pump incentive, there couldn't be a more cost effective, greener way to put people back to work, save fossil fuel, reduce carbon emissions and save homeowners thousands of dollars per year for the next 24 years. It's the stimulus that keeps on stimulating.
Economic Recovery. The stimulus package funding is critical to a U.S. heating and air conditioning industry that has been hit hard by the recession. The collapse of the residential new construction market and the lack of consumer financing have slammed the industry over the past two years, and heating system sales were down to levels not seen since 1970.
Geothermal heat pumps are built by manufacturers in the United States at domestic plants in nine states, and geothermal heat pump systems are operating and saving energy in all 50 states and are being exported around the globe.
For more information contact the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium at 888.255.4436 or www.GeoExchange.org or the GeoExchange Forum
