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ENERTECH GLOBAL, LLC NAMES TIM WRIGHT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 

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Tim Wright Enertech CEO

Enertech Global is pleased to announce industry veteran Tim Wright as its new chief executive officer. A familiar face to colleagues and customers alike, Wright joined Enertech in 2011 as sales manager. He later served as VP of sales and then as chief strategy officer. Most recently, he filled the role of chief operating officer.   

For nearly 15 years, Wright has helped to shape Enertech’s growth, culture, and long-term strategy. Along the way, he forged a reputation for steady leadership, collaborative spirit, and deep commitment to Enertech’s mission.  

Forward thinking, growth minded 

Enertech co-founder and former President and CEO Steve Smith credits Wright with helping Enertech achieve “primary provider” status among residential developments that choose all-geothermal heating and cooling. This expansion to multi-family and mixed-use communities continues to present growth opportunities. 

On the product front, Wright advanced key initiatives like Enertech’s air-to-water heat pump and its unique variable-speed water-to-water system. These, coupled with meeting the HVAC demands of large residential developments, position Enertech to transform the industry.  

Wright believes Enertech’s increased focus on affordability will help fuel that transformation going forward. He champions initiatives that disrupt the geothermal market by connecting homeowners at all income levels with geothermal heating and cooling.  He foresees geothermal “finally being more mainstream and more affordable for all.” 

Great people behind great products 

Upon his appointment, Wright expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue the customer-focused journey, begun by Enertech’s founders. He values servant leadership and sees his responsibility at the helm as empowering Enertech’s team to create the best possible customer experience. He knows that great products start with great people. Enertech’s family culture and team dynamic will play an essential part in days to come.   

“We are going to revolutionize heating and cooling homes,” he says.  

With much of his career spent alongside the people he now leads, Wright harbors a deep knowledge of Enertech and a genuine appreciation for his team’s potential and productivity.  

“If you have to work, we want you to enjoy the work,” Wright tells his colleagues. “I truly want to see the best in people and get the best out of people.” 

What Architects Should Know About Geothermal Heat Pumps

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Architect and Engineer Agree On A Geothermal Heat Pump

Geothermal (aka. ground source) heat pumps are a great all-electric option for heating and cooling buildings. They offer savings on utility bills, they’re low maintenance, and they rank the highest of all HVAC systems in efficiency.  But are they suitable for both residential homes and commercial buildings? Why should architects or anyone else consider geothermal heating and cooling for their projects? 

Ground source heat pumps heat and cool while using less energy, cutting emissions, and keeping building design looking top-notch. This makes them a top choice for architects in the design process. 

Geothermal heat pumps move heat from the earth into a building for heating and move heat out of a building into the ground for cooling. Many of them can pull double duty by providing very efficient domestic hot water. They are highly efficient (up to 400%) because moving heat from one place to another is much less demanding than converting fossil fuels or electricity into heat. This makes them much more environmentally friendly than other HVAC systems. 

Geothermal heat pumps are commonly used in: 

Are Geothermal Heat Pumps Considered A Renewable Technology? 

Yes! Geothermal heat pumps move heat from the ground into a building using a series of pipes (a ground loop) buried underground. Any heat moved into a building is quickly replenished by the sun, keeping the ground at a steady temperature. That’s how ground source heat pumps, like the ones made by Enertech, have an efficiency that is over 100%. While geothermal systems require electricity to operate, they are much more efficient than fossil fuel or electric-resistance furnaces and air conditioners. 

Why is Geothermal Attractive To Architects? 

Geothermal heat pumps help meet sustainability goals without compromising aesthetics. They both lower carbon emissions and help meet green building standards and energy codes. Geothermal heat pumps keep designs looking crisp because the ground loops are hidden underground, and the indoor heat pumps are easily installed out of view, in a mechanical room or, in some cases, between trussing. They also eliminate noisy outdoor compressors that take up yard space, interrupt landscaping, and block conversation. This is great for residential and urban projects. 

What Design Flexibility Do Geothermal Heat Pumps Offer? 

Geothermal supports a wide range of installation options, including: 

  • Loops can be configured horizontally or vertically to support differences in site sizes. Vertical loop systems are especially well-suited for dense urban development. 
  • Unit capacity options and delivery compatibility support a wide array of zones and emitters for comfort in every room. Radiant floors, forced-air ductwork, and towel warmers can be run from a single unit. This allows greater flexibility in floor plans, interior layouts, and comfort controls. 

Their compact footprint lets architects prioritize usable space and creativity in design for new construction and commercial builds. 

Can Geothermal Heat Pumps Be Used in Retrofits or Historic Buildings? 

Yes, geothermal is often an excellent choice for: 

  • Renovations 
  • Adaptive reuse projects 
  • Historic buildings 

Their discreet nature allows designers to upgrade performance and preserve character. 

What Should Architects Consider in the Design Process When It Comes to Geothermal Heating and Cooling? 

Early planning helps optimize: 

  • Loop field type and placement 
  • Mechanical room layout and sizing 
  • Construction sequencing 

To learn more about integrating ground source heat pumps into your projects, please reach out to us. We’d love to discuss your ideas and answer any questions you have. 

Let’s Chat!

Maintenance Costs and Your New Geothermal Heat Pump: What to Expect 

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Heat Pump Maintenance

Geothermal heat pumps require less maintenance than gas, oil-fueled systems, and air-to-water heat pumps. 

Here’s a quick look at why “low maintenance” applies to geothermal heat pumps. 

  1. Fewer moving parts – Geothermal heat pumps use fewer moving parts compared to conventional heating systems. Fewer moving parts means less wear and tear, without compromising efficiency. 
  1. Rust-free components – Made of PEX pipe, the outdoor/underground components of geothermal systems are unsusceptible to rust and corrosion that shorten the lives of outdoor compressors in traditional air conditioner and modern air source heat pumps. 
  1. Stable operating conditions – Geothermal systems operate in relatively stable temperature conditions. The ground temperature several feet below the surface remains consistent throughout the year, which means the system doesn’t experience the thermal stress and extreme temperature fluctuations that conventional systems experience. 
  1. No combustion process – Conventional heating systems burn fuel. The resulting soot, ash, and other byproducts often necessitate regular cleaning and maintenance. Rather than burning fuel to create energy, geothermal systems transfer energy in the form of heat from one place to another. 
  1. Reduced electrical load – A geothermal heat pump doesn’t have to work as hard as an air-source heat pump does, reducing wear. 

These factors also lead to a longer lifespan for your geothermal system. An underground loop can last 50 years or more. Geothermal heat pumps can last between 20 and 25 years. 

Maintenance to Expect  

What maintenance will your geothermal system require? Here’s a rundown: 

If your unit has an air handler, replace the filter every 1-3 months. Radiant heating requires no filter change. 

An annual inspection of your system by a professional is a good idea. This should include: 

  • Checking the unit’s refrigerant level, coils, and electrical connections. 
  • Checking and calibrating your thermostat. 
  • Checking the pressure in your ground loops to ensure efficient heat transfer. 

Additional Tips 

  • Monitor your energy bills and system performance. Unusual increases in energy consumption can indicate a problem. 
  • Pay attention to any unusual sounds coming from the heat pump or ductwork, as these can signal maintenance needs. 

While the day of “no maintenance” home heating and cooling is yet to come, geothermal systems are pointed in the right direction. Reduced maintenance costs play an important part in system savings and convenience. 

Ready to enjoy low-maintenance comfort for decades to come? Discover how a geothermal heat pump can save you time, money, and hassle while delivering reliable year-round comfort. 

Learn More Here

What Does “Electrification” Mean This Year for Your HVAC Business?

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“Electrification” in HVAC is the transition from using fossil fuels (like natural gas, oil, and propane) for heating and cooling to using electricity. Consumer interest in electrification and heat pumps has grown since the Inflation Reduction Act incentivized clean energy with a 30% tax credit to homeowners for choosing renewable energy. 

  • In 2023 and 2024, heat pump sales outpaced gas furnace sales. 
  • In 2024, US sales of heat pumps grew 15%. 
  • Government policies increasingly favor restrictions on gas hookups in new construction. 
  • Industry watchers say global heat pump supply and installation will likely require over 1.3 million workers by 2030, nearly triple the current workforce. 

The bottom line? More people will opt for electrification in their homes in the years to come. 

How do Heat Pumps Tie into Electrification? 

Heat pumps are entirely electric and play a crucial role in home or business energy consumption. HVAC systems account for 48% of a home’s energy usage, so reducing the energy needed for heating and cooling can lead to significant savings. 

Heat pumps are the most energy-efficient HVAC systems, making them an effective solution for lowering a home’s electrical demand and facilitating electrification. 

Below is a quick look at ground source heat pumps. 

Are Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) Good for Electrification? 

Yes, ground source heat pumps are great for electrification. Here’s why: 

Because GSHPS use stable temperatures below ground, they are able to provide ultra-efficient heating and cooling, as well as domestic hot water for homes and businesses, even in the hottest or coldest climates with COPs ranging from 3-5. 

Efficiency and Savings 

Ground source heat pumps are far more energy efficient than conventional heating and cooling. They also have low operating costs, resulting in significantly lower utility bills for homeowners. 

Read about a GSHP in the Midwest with $562 estimated annual operating costs for heating, cooling, and hot water: LaPorte Retrofit. 

Read about another Midwestern GSHP installation with average yearly heating and cooling savings of $3,947: New Construction in Minnesota. 

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“Is a turnaround in sight for heat pump markets?” – International Energy Association 

“Global consumers support shift from fossil fuels as they expect spike in energy prices to reduce their purchasing power,” Ipsos.com 

“Heat Pump Statistics 2024: Market Size, Trends, and Predictions,” Greenmatch 

9 Ways Today’s Heat Pumps Outperform Yesterday’s

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Imagine being able to have it all in your home. A heating and cooling system that is efficient, reliable, and comfortable throughout the year, all while keeping energy costs low. It’s 2025, and such a system is possible. You can achieve superior energy efficiency, quiet operation, and excellent temperature control, all while reducing your reliance on fossil fuels with air source heat pumps. 

As technology advances, residential heat pumps have become even more efficient and effective, allowing you to live more comfortably. With an air source heat pump, your home will feel refreshingly cool in the summer and comfortably warm in the winter, with even temperatures from room to room. It’s a difference you can feel that enhances your living space while keeping sustainability and savings in mind.  

Here are nine ways today’s residential heat pumps outperform their predecessors: 

1. Higher Efficiency: Thanks to advanced compressor technology and optimized designs, today’s heat pumps use less energy to heat and cool homes and buildings. 

2. Heating, Cooling, and Hot Water, All-in-One: Enertech first introduced the Advantage Air-to-Water heat pump to the North American market in 2020. The Advantage provides all-in-one heating, cooling, and up to 100% domestic hot water.  

3. Variable Speed Compressors: Unlike older models that operate at fixed speeds, variable speed compressors adjust their output based on the heating or cooling demand. This ensures precise temperature control and improved efficiency. 

4. Enhanced Defrosting Mechanisms: Older air source heat pumps struggled with frost buildup in cold weather. Today’s units feature improved defrost cycles that minimize frost and maintain performance in temperatures as low as -13°F. 

5. Quieter Operation: Advances in fan designs, sound-insulating materials, and refrigerant controls have significantly reduced noise levels. Improved defrost systems also reduce the frequency and duration of noisy defrost cycles. 

6. Smart Controls and Connectivity: Today’s heat pumps often have smart thermostats and remote connectivity features, allowing homeowners to monitor their systems from anywhere. 

7. Zoning Capabilities: Newer heat pump systems with zoning capabilities allow homeowners to warm or cool spaces according to their use. This feature saves energy and money. 

8. Improved Durability and Reliability: Enhanced materials and better construction means fewer breakdowns and longer lifespans for today’s air source heat pumps. 

9. Radiant Heating: The Advantage Air-to-Water heat pump offers improved support of radiant heating over retro and mini-split technologies. 

Discover Enertech Air-to-Water Heat Pumps 

Are you curious about the latest innovations in heat pump technology? Learn more about Enertech’s Advantage Air-to-Water heat pump and explore how it reduces homeowners’ annual utility costs. 

Learn More about the Advantage

Enertech Brand Consolidation 

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Enertech Residential Product Family

The Hydron Module and TETCO brands of ground source (geothermal) heat pumps are now being sold directly under the Enertech and GeoComfort brands.

Since 1996, Enertech has been dedicated to providing the products that dealers and installers want along with the best customer service in the industry. In 2007, we acquired the Hydron Module brand along with their manufacturing facility in Mitchell, SD. After we acquired the TETCO brand in 2008, our production facility increased dramatically to make good on the promise of delivering high quality, high efficiency, products made with feedback from our customers and the building owners using them. 

Since then, the Enertech brand has undergone a transformation from Midwestern heat pump distributor to North American manufacturer of award-winning heat pumps. As Enertech has grown and become better known for reliable products installed on larger and larger scales across North America and beyond, unifying our brands allows us to better serve our customers and bring further recognition to our products and the companies selling and installing them. 

The history, expertise, excellence, and drive that made TETCO and Hydron Module brands staples of the geothermal heat pump industry have become a part of our DNA as a company. As we consolidate our product offerings with Enertech and GeoComfort at the helm, the heritage and quality of both Hydron Module and TETCO will live on through our continued dedication to redefining heating and cooling systems for the world.

Modest Maintenance Facility Models Big Energy and Cost Saving with Air-Source Heat Pump

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Saving is the name of the game for New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Staff at its Green Island Maintenance Facility take saving all in stride—from helping unprepared hikers who lose track of time to housing a rattlesnake evicted from a vacation home. Lately, they have taken saving energy and money in stride, too, and ended up on the local news for doing so. 

Green Island may be one of the smallest towns in New York, but its DEC facility turned heads when staff unveiled an air-to-water heat pump that models two characteristics commercial operations increasingly value: 

  • Less reliance on fossil fuels associated with heating and cooling buildings, and 
  • Greater cost savings both now and into the future. 

MEETING NEW ENERGY REQUIREMENTS: THE CHALLENGE AGENCIES FACE  

The heat pump in the Green Island facility will deliver up to 40% savings in operating costs and up to 50% greater energy efficiency than its oil-fueled counterparts. It will also help the department address a challenge that state agencies nationwide increasingly face—meeting bold requirements to electrify and decarbonize. 

New York’s Climate Act requires that the state achieve a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and an 80% reduction by 2050. 

Commercial operations account for 75% of energy used in the buildings they occupy, and HVAC systems play a major role in operations. Efficient fossil-free heat pump systems represent substantial opportunities for big savings. 

AIR-TO-WATER TECHNOLOGY 

The DEC’s Green Island Maintenance Facility chose our Advantage air-to-water heat pump, made right here in America. 

Air-to-water heat pumps require no fossil fuel combustion. They transfer heat from the outdoor air to indoor water that warms interior spaces via radiators or underfloor heating. The process can be reversed for cooling or connected to an air handler for cooling the air in the building. 

Installation of the heat pump system at the Green Island facility was integrated into an existing radiant floor heating system. It can accommodate the addition of air conditioning for office spaces. 

BUSINESS SAVINGS 

Air-to-water heat pumps like our Advantage provide significant savings to businesses: 

  • They deliver up to three times more energy than the electrical energy they consume. 
  • With fewer moving parts, they require less maintenance. 
  • They eliminate the risk of gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning from fuel-fired systems. 
  • They produce no onsite emissions. 

Contact Enertech today to learn more about saving energy and money with an air-source heat pump in your business.

Ground Source Heat Pumps and Housing Developments – 5 Questions Answered Using the DSIRE Database

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Some call the sun’s energy stored in the Earth “nature’s furnace.” Others call it “the heat beneath our feet.” The Renewable Energy Hub calls it the future of heating in housing development. 

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Overcoming the 5 O’clock Shadow: 5 Things to Consider Before Installing Solar Panels

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Call them what you will—sun sponges, light harvesters, energy magnets—solar panels continue to make their way into the hearts and minds of homeowners. A recent Forbes survey reported that among solar panel owners in the U.S.: 

  • Nearly 90% are glad they made the investment. 
  • 73% chose solar panels to achieve energy independence. 
  • 67% chose them for cost savings. 
  • Over 82% said they would recommend solar panels based on their experiences.  

Homeowners in the Midwest particularly have benefited. Illinois ranks among the national leaders in rooftop solar growth. In the “Prairie State,” residential solar grew more than 2000% from 2017 through 2022.  

OPTIMUM SOLAR PERFORMANCE 

Abundant sun (direct sunlight is best), moderate temperatures, light winds, and low humidity all contribute to ideal conditions for solar. Some homeowners enjoy optimum conditions, but many do not. Shade remains a common concern. 

While it’s true that the longer solar panels remain shaded, the less energy they generate, there’s good news on two fronts for folks with shady situations: (1) solar panels do produce in partial shade, and (2) new technologies increasingly reduce the impact of partial shade.  

A professional solar installer can assess your situation and address concerns like: 

  1. Tall trees overshadowing your roof – If shading occurs most of the day, it can reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches your solar panels. Severity, however, is key. An assessment will tell you more.  
  1. Neighboring tall buildings that cast shadows – Homes located in urban areas sometimes experience this, especially during times of day when the sun’s angle is low. Again, severity is key.  
  1. You live in a valley – Hills or mountains to the east or west can limit the effectiveness of solar panels, especially during early morning or late afternoon hours. The slope and orientation of your land factor into solar panel effectiveness.   
  1. A chimney, vents, or dormers on your roof – These, coupled with low sun angle, can impact solar panel performance, but not always.   
  1. Seasonal shading – You may have deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the fall but fill out to provide lush cover in the summer. You may experience a rainy season with seasonal cloud cover followed by a sunny season. An assessment of your property’s unique situation will tell you what you need to know.  

Solutions may be as simple as trimming a tree, installing panels on a ground mount set away from the building(s) to receive better sunlight, or installing solar panels on an outbuilding.  

A SHADE ANALYSIS ANSWERS MANY QUESTIONS 

A professional solar installer can conduct a thorough shade analysis of your property to inform your decision to invest in solar panels or pursue other routes for saving energy.  

Be sure to ask about: 

  • Available technology like half-cut photovoltaic cells that reduce the impact of partial shade. 
  • Systems that use microinverters. Microinverters ensure that one panel’s diminished performance (due to shade, for instance) doesn’t impact the performance of other panels.   
  • Incorporating battery storage to maximize the use of solar energy collected during peak hours, mitigating some effects of shading during those times. 

PAYBACK AND TAX INCENTIVES 

According to Solar.com, the average payback period for solar panels is 7-10 years, depending on electricity rates, solar costs, and available incentives. Check out the current 30% federal tax credit for qualified solar panel systems.

 Many homeowners choose to maximize efficiency savings by pairing solar with geothermal heating and cooling. Find out the benefits and why people pair the two.

Read why here.

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Resources: 

Geraldine Orentas, “Nearly 90% Of Americans Are Happy They Installed Solar Panels On Their Homes,” Forbes Home. 

Zeeshan Hyder, “Do solar panels need direct sunlight to work?” SolarReviews  

“Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics,” U.S. Department of Energy, Solar Energy Technologies Office 

Sick Buildings That Make Us Sick Too: Do You Live or Work in One?

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It’s been a tough day for Jerri—nausea, irritated eyes, scratchy throat, headache, fatigue. She can’t wait to leave the office and head straight to bed. Remarkably, when she pulls into her driveway 25 minutes later, she feels fine. Others who work in Jerri’s building suffer the same symptoms at work and welcome the same relief once they leave. 

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