Geothermal heating and cooling is a well-established technology; it’s been around in simplistic forms for more than half a century and has developed at an impressive rate to become a technology that is providing real solutions for decarbonization and grid management. In its years of growth and innovative development, geothermal has taken on many different Read more
HVAC
Geothermal heating and cooling is a well-established technology; it’s been around in simplistic forms for more than half a century and has developed at an impressive rate to become a technology that is providing real solutions for decarbonization and grid management. In its years of growth and innovative development, geothermal has taken on many different forms and variations, all of which have their own unique benefits.
The Vanderbilt Breakers Mansion saves $36,000 a year with Direct Geothermal Exchange.
The first recorded closed-loop geothermal design installed was a water-free direct exchange geothermal system in 1945. Robert C. Webber (1911-1984) is acknowledged by most to be the inventor of the ground-coupled heat pump system. In fact, according to a September 1948 issue of “The Refrigeration Industry,” Webber was the first to heat his seven-room home in Indianapolis by reversing the cycle on his home freezer. The issue featured Webber as The Refrigeration Industry’s “Man of the Month.” Webber’s “freezer in reverse” was also featured in Ripley’s Believe it or Not in 1948.
Caption: Robert C. Webber (1911-1984)
Direct geothermal exchange (DGX) waterless geothermal systems, also known as direct exchange systems, offer an innovative and sustainable way to heat and cool your home without requiring water in the loop for heat exchange. Unlike many other types of systems, DX uses a closed-loop refrigerant circuit to release heat from under our feet, eliminating the need for water that other systems require. One of the most vital benefits of Direct Exchange Waterless Geothermal is how efficiently it produces year-round temperature control using safe, reliable refrigerants.
There are many pioneers within the sustainable and renewable energy field, one of which is Bill Buschur, President of Total Green Manufacturing. Bill is a recognizable figure within the geothermal industry, and within the niche of waterless geothermal, with a history in the development of the technology used today. For reference, back in 1980, EarthLinked Technologies (ETI) established itself as a research company in the geothermal industry, becoming the original direct exchange manufacturer. It continued to have great success over the years as it carved out a niche in the geothermal industry. ETI partnered with Total Green Mfg. for five years, and Total Green acquired the 38-year-old DGX Manufacturing company.
Total Green Crew installs a DGX system.
A little history
“At around 12 years old, I began to ride along with my father in the service truck and I would run back and forth from the truck to get him tools or the parts he needed to make the repairs,” Buschur shared with us, “As I got a little older, I began building geo ground loops. I remember we had two football practices a day, and I would come home and build loops for the rest of the day. Eventually, I began to go to the job site with other crew members and help with the installation process.”
Young Bill Buschur working on site.
One of the keys to innovation is passion, and Bill Buschur has no issue with showing his passion through actions and incredible results. Bill has grown his business from a hard-working crew of only four people to becoming the largest direct exchange geothermal contracting company in the U.S., installing over 100 DX systems on a yearly basis.
Establishing the Waterless® brand was no small feat for Bill, but after earning a degree in Business Management and a refrigeration certification, topped off by 30 years of experience in geothermal heat pump technology, he’s become the driving force behind the biggest name in Direct Geothermal Exchange nationwide.
Quality is vital in any field, but Bill has ensured that his geothermal direct exchange units are to the highest standard, stating, “Dad always taught us that ‘If you don’t do things right the first time, you’ll end up doing it again’”. So we made sure we didn’t cut any corners when it came to Designing and Installing a geothermal system.”. This has been a key factor in how effectively Total Green has kept up with the latest technology.
At the end of the day, the million-dollar question is, “Are direct exchange waterless geothermal systems as efficient as water-based geothermal systems?” The answer is yes. Past criticisms of DX systems have primarily revolved around the question of environmentally friendly refrigerants. Today modern DX systems use advanced refrigerants that are both environmentally friendly and efficient with heat transfer, which will enhance the performance of the system altogether.
Bill Buschur in his younger years learning the trade (right).
We’re fortunate to have so many diverse options when considering which geothermal system to choose from, accompanied by so many industry pioneers behind each system. As we continue to push for the world to embrace and prioritize sustainability and energy efficiency, minimizing negative environmental impact and using the natural resources given to us, we should make a conscious effort to do so as one piece of that ever-forming puzzle. Any and every geothermal system contributes to a brighter, greener, world-changing future for us and generations to come.
We are on the same team, we are in the same boat, and we are a part of the geothermal heat pump revolution, changing the world for the better.
Mimi (Hannah) Egg is a Social Media Marketing Consultant with a passion for writing and researching. She has overseen the social media accounts for multiple private and corporate organizations and is constantly learning new ways to understand and optimize demographic outreach and form beneficial business connections through social networking for her clients. She can be reached at Mimieggshell@gmail.com
Navien, the leader in condensing technology, has started shipping their latest innovation, the NPF Hydro-furnace. First announced during their virtual launch event on September 26th, the NPF forced air hydro-furnace is Navien’s introduction into the HVAC market. Available in upflow and horizontal configurations, the NPF comes in two sizes of 60,000 BTU/h and 100,000 BTU/h Read more
Navien, the leader in condensing technology, has started shipping their latest innovation, the NPF Hydro-furnace. First announced during their virtual launch event on September 26th, the NPF forced air hydro-furnace is Navien’s introduction into the HVAC market.
Available in upflow and horizontal configurations, the NPF comes in two sizes of 60,000 BTU/h and 100,000 BTU/h that both boast 97.0% AFUE, utilize high-efficiency ECM motor technology, and meet the stringent requirements of SCAQMD rule 1111 for Ultra-Low NOx performance.
The NPF uses Navien’s industry-proven stainless steel heat exchangers to heat water in an isolated compartment out of the airstream which provides sound-reduction and energy efficiency. The heated water is circulated through a hydronic coil which transfers the heat into the airstream for the ultimate in quiet forced-air heating comfort. The sealed combustion design allows the NPF to deliver comfortable heat without significantly impacting humidity levels at one of the quietest sound levels of any furnace on the market. Water can be supplied to the NPF either through an auto-fill ¼” water connection or through an easily accessible manual fill water reservoir.
The NPF features industry leading variable capacity that can modulate down to 15% for an unparalleled level of comfort that allows the unit to meet year-round heating needs. Each NPF unit is field gas convertible from natural gas to liquid propane, and rated for high elevation up to 10,000 feet with factory supplied conversion kit.. An EZNav® unit-mounted interface with built-in setup wizard provides easy, intuitive steps for startup, configuration, and diagnostics. Installers can set supply air temperature and airflow directly from the front panel, and the service wizard will walk contractors through component verification to aid in troubleshooting. NPF hydro-furnaces are compatible with most one- and two-stage thermostats and can be matched with any AC or heat pump system providing their own dedicated airflow selections and ramping profiles.
Upflow models of the NPF are available to ship now, with horizontal models planned to start shipping in February 2024. To learn more about the NPF Series of hydro-furnaces, visit navieninc.com.
Oil-free compressor pioneer marks 10 years as a wholly owned Danfoss company Danfoss Turbocor, manufacturer and pioneer of the world’s first oil-free, magnetic bearing compressor for the HVAC industry, is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a wholly owned Danfoss company. Initially founded in 1994 and later becoming a joint venture with Danfoss in 2004, its Read more
Oil-free compressor pioneer marks 10 years as a wholly owned Danfoss company
Danfoss Turbocor, manufacturer and pioneer of the world’s first oil-free, magnetic bearing compressor for the HVAC industry, is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a wholly owned Danfoss company. Initially founded in 1994 and later becoming a joint venture with Danfoss in 2004, its Turbocor® compressors have delivered versatile and unmatched efficiency, with low-Global Warming Potential compatibility, helping to reduce emissions while earning strong return on investment for customers.
Ricardo Schneider, president of Danfoss Turbocor, stated: “From the beginning, we knew this technology was transformative; the cutting-edge technology combined with our strong manufacturing and sales network enabled us to provide our customers with solutions to improve operating performance and reach unprecedented energy efficiency levels.”
The unique oil-free, magnetic bearing technology of Turbocor compressors results in zero performance degradation over the life of the compressor, reducing maintenance and replacement costs. The permanent magnet motors and variable-speed drives provide efficiency at both full and part loads. Their flexibility to be used in air cooled, water cooled or evaporative cooled chillers operating across a wide range of applications such as comfort cooling, low temperature process, ice storage and heat recovery, has resulted in over 130,000 compressors being installed around the world.
Over the years, Turbocor compressors have been recognized with multiple industry awards, including the Alliance to Save Energy’s Innovative Star of Energy Efficiency award, the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute’s 2022 Product of the Year and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate and Ozone Protection Award.
Globally, Danfoss Turbocor is continuing to grow its footprint, with an expanded facility in Haiyan, China opening next year, and the establishment of a configuration center in Nordborg, Denmark, at Danfoss’ corporate headquarters. The Nordborg site currently handles sales and service for Turbocor’s European customers; a new production facility is scheduled for completion in 2026.
At its headquarters in Tallahassee, Fla., Danfoss Turbocor continues to build collaborations with local institutions. In 2021, the company began a five-year partnership with FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, providing $750,000 of scholarships and research grants to first-generation or underrepresented minority students, to develop engineering talent in the local community and help students achieve their career goals. The company has also partnered with Tallahassee Community College on workforce development programs, such as its CNC machinist apprenticeship.
Soon, the company will celebrate another milestone: its new 167,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Tallahassee is scheduled for completion in early 2024. The new facility will increase current manufacturing capacity to meet a fast-growing demand from American and international markets for high efficiency compressors for cooling and heating. The expansion is projected to create significant additional jobs in the Tallahassee area.
An industry-leading manufacturer of water heating and storage equipment gives $8,000 to further national nonprofit’s mission and raise awareness of skilled trades career opportunities Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announces a new partnership with Explore The Trades that aims to bridge the technical talent gap in the service trades Read more
An industry-leading manufacturer of water heating and storage equipment gives $8,000 to further national nonprofit’s mission and raise awareness of skilled trades career opportunities
Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announces a new partnership with Explore The Trades that aims to bridge the technical talent gap in the service trades and advance positive public awareness of the plumbing and HVAC industry.
Explore The Trades, a nonprofit organization founded in 2005, is bridging the technical talent gap to the skilled trades of plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical by raising awareness of the skilled trades, serving an integral role in lessening the skilled labor gap and acting as a partner to both education and industry with the goal of creating the next generation of technicians.
Through Industry Forward®, its signature charitable giving program developed to help advance the industry and raise awareness of career opportunities, Bradford White Corporation is donating $8,000 to Explore The Trades. The contribution supports the creation of 1,000 poster kits showcasing careers in the skilled trades that will be distributed to educators and counselors across North America.
“Over the past generation, awareness of the skilled trades has nearly become extinct,” said Kate Cinnamo, executive director at Explore The Trades. “Yet many students, parents and educators lack access to information about the career opportunities in the service trades, manufacturing and distribution that are vital to our communities. We’re proud to partner with Bradford White to close that information gap. Their support enables us to serve as the conduit between industry and education so we can engage the audiences who are vital to the growth of the trades.”
Bradford White partners with nonprofit organizations and technical schools to educate individuals and families on the importance of the skilled trades and the role that industry professionals provide in the health, safety, sanitation, and infrastructure of their communities through strategic grant funding that supports workforce development training and education programs and industry career opportunities, events, and partnerships.
“We are thrilled to partner with Explore The Trades and expand our reach by connecting with students, parents and educators in an exciting new way,” said Rebecca Owens, senior communications manager for Bradford White. “As more teens and young adults consider the financial impact of attending a four-year college, we will continue to advocate for the option of a stable career in an essential industry. Joining with Explore The Trades to pursue our shared mission helps us reach more individuals that may be interested in the plumbing and HVAC fields than ever before.”
For more information about Bradford White Corporation’s Industry Forward® initiative, visit www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com/giving/.
Explore The Trades is a nonprofit with a mission of bridging the technical talent gap to the service trades of plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical. For more information, please visit explorethetrades.org/who-we-are/.
Malco Products, one of the nation’s leading solution developers and manufacturers of a variety of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction trades, announced that Zach Fellows of Ace Supply Company in Eden Prairie, Minn., won the company’s first-ever Counterperson of the Year Contest. As Counterperson of the Year, Fellows exemplifies the same values that make Malco Read more
Malco Products, one of the nation’s leading solution developers and manufacturers of a variety of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction trades, announced that Zach Fellows of Ace Supply Company in Eden Prairie, Minn., won the company’s first-ever Counterperson of the Year Contest.
As Counterperson of the Year, Fellows exemplifies the same values that make Malco great: dedication to superior customer service and going above & beyond to ensure contractors have the Malco tools they need to get the job done. Fellows earned a prize of $500 cash, a Malco golf shirt and hat.
“In the realm of customer service, few shine as brightly as Zach Fellows,” said Michael Dungan, Fellows’ nominator. “His dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence are clear indicators that he is destined for a bright future.”
“We are proud to recognize Zach for providing excellent customer service and setting the bar high for our industry,” said Rebecca Talbot, vice president of marketing at Malco Products. “Zach’s proactive approach to serving contractors and promoting Malco’s high-quality products is well-deserving of our inaugural Counterperson of the Year title.”
For more information about Malco Products, visit www.malcoproducts.com.