Consider what type of heating system you wish you install when building your home or business facilities. The EPA ranks geothermal heating systems as the most energy efficient, environmentally clean, and cost effective temperature conditioning systems.
Is a Geothermal System an Option for Your Building?
Geothermal systems use a pump to transport air between your home and the earth. In the winter, warm air underground is brought up into your home through forced air or radiant floor heating systems. The process is reversed in the summer, where warm air is pumped out of your home and transported underground to be cooled. The constant temperature of the earth makes geothermal units twice as efficient as traditional air conditioners or heat pumps. They also require little maintenance, saving you from the hassle of costly repairs.
Of course, it’s important to note that not all building lots can support geothermal systems due to various underground conditions but they are becoming more popular wherever they are feasible.
Meridian Construction recently installed a state of the art geothermal HVAC system for the Bedford Public Library where the site conditions are suitable for geothermal. This project was made possible through grants from the New Hampshire Governor and Executive Council, Public Utilities Commission Renewable Energy Fund and Eversource Energy.
LED Lighting Now Lightyears Ahead!
Widespread use of LED lights inside and outside your buildings adds up to big savings in electricity. LED light replacements are superior to incandescent, fluorescent, and halogen bulbs in terms of longevity, energy consumption, and maintenance costs. They throw off a comfortable yet bright light for better evening vision. They’ve become so prevalent, that the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that LEDs will save Americans up to 190 terawatt hours of electricity per year by 2030.
Sustainability Incentives
You can make the most of your home’s electricity through products that are Energy Star compliant. These products are certified to use 10 to 50 percent less energy than “standard” appliances. Anything from refrigerators to clothes 
washers can be eligible for an Energy Star certification. Many people have shown a willingness to pay more for Energy Star certified products in order to save money in energy over the products’ lifetime.
More and more people are utilizing some degree of energy efficient technology or sustainable (green) building practice in their homes. One nationwide program, LEED, (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) has seen the number of homes it certifies skyrocket between 2011 and today. There was a time when people were reluctant to go green, due to high costs and inefficient technology. Now, it’s possible to enjoy the highest quality home of your dreams as well as the peace of mind that comes from being a good steward of the environment.
