Geothermal Energy

December 27, 2010

Educational Forum about Geothermal Heating and Cooling
There will be an educational forum on geothermal heating and cooling on Tuesday, December 16th from 7 to 9 PM at the Park Street Complex (former Stourbridge school) in Honesdale. The forum is sponsored by the group SEEDS (Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support) and is open to all. There will be a free-will offering and refreshments.
Geothermal systems use the constant temperature of the subsurface of the earth coupled with a heat exchanger and compressor to provide heating and cooling. A growing number of homes in our area are now using this technology.

Two geothermal installers will explain how geothermal works. Ed Spall of T.E. Spall & Son of Carbondale, an award-winning, full-service heating and air conditioning company with twenty-three years of experience, will give an overview of the technology, including closed loop vertical and horizontal systems. Toni Lynch of Better World Building in Bangor, PA, will explain an open loop system. Toni has been in the alternative energy business for more than 15 years. He advocates an integrated green approach for living sustainably, focusing on super-insulated building envelopes with geothermal heating and cooling systems powered by solar or wind technology to lead to a zero energy home.

Local homeowners will also share their experiences with geothermal. Jim and Pat Sanders have lived with a vertical closed loop system for several years. Bob Rutledge is in the process of installing a horizontal system for his new home in Galilee.

This is the sixth in a series of sustainable energy events sponsored by SEEDS, a group of local people interested in promoting and investing in renewable energy for the community. The next event will be a one day workshop on Saturday, January 10th open to the general public about installing wind and solar systems. This will be followed by two three-day workshops later in January for trades people to start training to become installers of small-scale solar and wind systems. To make reservations for these, call Michele Sands at (570)224-0052.

A February 10th forum will feature “do-it-yourself” energy conservation and PPL smart metering. The March 10th forum will present the exciting plans for a “green” school in Hamlin. April 21st will feature what’s on the cutting edge of the renewable energy horizon.
For more information, the group may be contacted at 570-224-0052 or SEEDSGroup@gmail.com.