Risk takers and dream makers—builders in today’s world function as both. When shop talk turned to meeting the needs of today’s environmentally conscious homebuyers, two builders of residential communities shared their experiences installing ultra-efficient ground source heat pumps (a.k.a. geothermal heat pumps) in homes.
GSHPs have a higher upfront cost than conventional heating and cooling, but they bring big monthly savings and early payback for homeowners.
Brett Baker is director of residential construction with Trilith, a 235-acre master-planned residential and mixed-use project located in south metro Atlanta, Georgia. Mac and Austin McKinney represent McKinney Builders, the dream makers for hundreds of homeowners in Atlanta’s southern crescent.
The trio agree that geothermal heating and cooling is a good choice for today’s residential developments. Here are four key insights.
Mac McKinney is confident in today’s geothermal technology: “We believe in it. We understand it costs a little more money to put in initially, but over a two-to-three-year period, you get your money back. And then, for the rest of your life, you're saving at least a hundred dollars a month.”
Brett Baker uses ground source heat pumps in homes of all sizes, from 380-square-foot “tiny homes” to residences of over 10,000 square feet. The Trilith team has integrated them into “micro village” clusters of four to eight homes. “The architectural value is just as good [regardless of size],” he says.
McKinney Builders uses ground source heat pumps in unique courtyard homes that make up the Gardens at Arbor Springs. There, each property features a gated courtyard that accommodates outdoor entertainment, gardens, or swimming pools.
Developments that accommodate homeowner interests in sustainable lifestyles are on the rise. The Gardens pairs that desire with retirement to serve the age 55 and over market. “We’ve developed a real friendly, real cohesive community,” says Mac McKinney.
Trilith pairs the desire for sustainable lifestyle with creatives—content creators and artists involved in filmmaking. “We're directly across from the second largest studio in North America,” says Baker.
More developments nationwide are using geothermal technology and ground source heat pumps. “We’re 285 homes in, in geothermal,” says Baker. “With partnerships, time, and learning, it’s much easier [now] to educate the end- user on why it’s a good value.”
“I would challenge any builder to be more efficient than what we are,” says Austin McKinney, who’s pleased to partner with companies that are “invested in doing the right thing.”
Go here to listen to the full conversation and here to learn more about ground source heat pumps and geothermal heating and cooling.