28 APRIL 2014 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com
HVAC/ HYDRONICS
By Stephen Bennett
Underground Business
Geothermal Heating Is Viable for Colder Climes
F
or years, conventional wisdom among installers has
been that a geothermal system requires an alternate or
backup heating source, such as fuel oil or electricity.
Such back-up is needed because geothermal systems
cannot generate sufficient heat when temperatures
become extremely cold.
But at least one installer is disputing the conventional wis-
dom.
A geothermal heat pump can provide the needed heating,
even in the cold of a New England winter if the equipment is
sized properly," said Terry Queenan, founder of EarthTech
Systems in Lowell, Mass. "It's all based on load. The key is to do
William Dowling, lead installer for EarthTech Systems, with a Hydron Module geothermal pump manufactured by Enertech Global, Greenville, Ill.
