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Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing Article Summaries |
Geothermal Heating: Fast, Efficient, and Effective
"Immediate payback," is how Bob Philbrick describes geothermal energy, a concept in heating and cooling that utilizes heat from the earth or its groundwater, basically by circulating water that has absorbed heat from the earth, compressing it to a higher temperature, and sending that warm air through a distribution system. Philbrick, in the well-drilling business for 40 years, is the largest geothermal installer in the state and has recently put systems in the new Hannaford Store in Augusta, the Rockport-Camden School, the Dayton Town Office, and the University of Maine at Farmington, among other commercial buildings. He also has completed almost 100 homes with another 40 residential installations in-the-works, many prompted by the 30% Federal tax credit, which is new this year. Although most of these homes are new, which is the best time to install a geothermal system, it is also possible to retrofit. What does it take to go geothermal? Costwise, $20-30,000, which includes the well, pump system, and duct work. Installation and timewise, one day for the well, one day for the pump, and 2-3 days for the system. Planningwise, as long as it takes to draw up blue prints, develop a fact sheet for the engineers to determine heat gain and loss, and figure the cost. Materialwise, a well 300-400 feet deep. If all this, or even part of it is too technical, scientific or just plain complicated to understand, just ask Bob Philbrick, who has "everything he can get in terms of diplomas" regarding the technology. In fact, he now teaches engineers, anxious to learn about geothermal because everyone is going green, in his office, and he gives speeches to groups and organizations in the area. "It's fun," Bob says in summary. "It's really fun. It's technology that really works." For more information, call | ||