When Kyle and Valerie began planning their dream home, they already knew the power of renewable energy. “It was never a question,” Kyle said. “We wanted geothermal because that’s what I do for a living and we truly believe in the benefits it brings.” As a professional in the geothermal and solar industry, Kyle was eager to lead by example and follow the four essential steps to energy independence. 1) Invest in proper insulation. 2) Use geothermal for heating, cooling, and hot water. 3) Generate electricity with solar power. 4) Store excess energy with batteries. Along with their geothermal system, Kyle and Valerie installed a 10 kW DC solar PV array to power their home. By combining these technologies, they’ve significantly reduced their energy use, lowered utility costs, and created a highly efficient, sustainable home that reflects their values—both personally and professionally.

The house is kept air-tight with spray foam cellulose insulation on all exterior walls, the roof deck, as well as foam board insulation on basement slab and walls. One compact geothermal system provides forced air heating, radiant heat, and 100% of the domestic hot water needs, with a separate, compact horizontal system providing forced air cooling, which offers ample space in the mechanical room for storage. For an even higher level of comfort and efficiency, the house is set up with 4 forced air zones and 5 hydronic radiant zones, allowing for flexibility in temperature throughout. Since this was a new construction home, the couple opted for a standard 10 kW roof mount system that included black on black panels to match their roof. This roof mount provides power coverage for their daily utility needs, power two geothermal heat pumps, and much more. For additional whole home savings, this family has also incorporated LED lights, ENERGY STAR GE appliances, and an energy-efficient electric washer/dryer from Speed Queen.