Every year, The NEWS introduces the latest heating equipment that is available for the upcoming winter season. The intent is to help contractors prepare for this busy period by doing the research that will help them to distinguish between brands.

The Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) announced that its website has been completely redesigned, with easier and more intuitive access to content that offers basic information about geothermal heating and cooling for consumers, plus technical and policy information for industry professionals and decision makers.

Available on 2- to 6-ton horizontal and vertical Versatec Base, Versatec Ultra Envision2 Compact, and 7- to 25-ton horizontal and vertical Envision XL products, this new option allows the use of a building’s interior loop water to provide “free” cooling. 

The home, located in the organization’s Faith Landing development in southwest Oklahoma City, represents an ongoing collaborative commitment between ClimateMaster and Habitat for Humanity to construct all homes in the region with geothermal heating and cooling systems. 

The state’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES) requires that at least 20 percent of electricity sales in Minnesota originate from renewable sources by 2020 and 25 percent by 2025.

Despite the numbers, manufacturers remain optimistic about the future and are focused on growing the market by introducing new products and educating the public on the many benefits of GHPs.

Barring an act of Congress, the 30 percent federal tax credit for residential geothermal heat pump (GHP) systems will expire at the end of 2016. The industry is worried about what that means for the future.

Many homebuilders across the country are differentiating themselves from the competition by offering green communities that feature sustainable products and features.