Sustainable technology matters to the Houchin family of Heyworth, Illinois. Since purchasing their six-acre alpaca breeding farm in 2009, they’ve installed LED lights, solar panels, and a heat pump system that exchanges energy with the Earth.
The geothermal heat pump (also known as a ground source heat pump or GSHP) reduces their utility costs, while the solar array on their barn produces energy that helps the Houchins meet the needs of their beloved alpacas.
And beloved they are! These low-impact livestock are considered easy keepers and a good fit for hobby farms and niche operations like breeding. Alpacas are known for their smart, gentle demeanor and curious yet quiet nature. And who doesn’t love the luscious feel of woolen alpaca socks and sweaters?
It’s fitting, too, that the Houchins’ sustainable HVAC system plays a role on their farm. Ground source heat pumps are often overlooked in the renewable energy world, just as alpacas aren’t widely known in the U.S.
If you’re clueless about alpacas and GSHPs, you’re not alone. Here’s a just-for-fun rundown of their similarities and how they enrich life on the farm.
The alpaca’s relatively recent (1984) importation from South America to the U.S. accounts in part for its low profile. People seem to know more about the alpaca’s cousins, the llama and camel, than they do about alpacas.
In terms of sustainable energy, GSHP systems are like shy cousins to highly visible solar arrays and in-your-face wind turbines. Most of a GSHP system resides out of sight below ground.
A heat pump tucked away indoors connects to pipes buried in the yard. In cold months, the pipes transfer the Earth’s warmth indoors. In warm months, they reverse the process and transfer heat from the home and back into the Earth. “Nothing to see here” truly applies to geothermal systems.
And, about alpacas being quiet, GSHPs also have a reputation for ultra-quiet operation. They work without noisy condensers and combustion processes.
Alpacas are small and relatively easy to maintain. Though they need room to graze and clean water, their upkeep isn’t complicated. Some breeders say alpacas are easier to care for than dogs.
Low maintenance also defines ground source heat pumps. Housed out of the elements, GSHPs have fewer moving parts than conventional HVAC systems, which means fewer problems. By design, they cycle on and off less frequently. This puts less strain on their components.
Industry professionals recommend an annual health check on GSHP systems just as vets recommend annual or semi-annual wellness checks for alpacas.
The average lifespan of an alpaca is 15-20 years, so there is plenty of time to recoup costs associated with an animal’s initial investment. Regarding breeding revenues, a female can give birth ten times during her lifetime.
The Department of Energy reports that a typical ground source heat pump lasts 20+ years; the system’s below-ground infrastructure lasts at least 50 years. They say homeowners are likely to recover the initial cost of their GSHP installations in just 5 to 10 years.
Increased demand for sustainable and ethically sourced fashion contributes to the increased popularity of alpaca yarns. Global Market Insights reports that the alpaca fiber market surpassed $3.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow 3.1% by 2032.
According to “This Old House,” when a family installs a home GSHP system, they have the carbon equivalent of permanently removing two cars from the road and planting 750 trees. The potential for this kind of impact appeals increasingly to homeowners today.
The global GSHP market, currently valued at $14 billion, is projected to grow 6.2% by 2030.
Alpacas and sustainable technology have found a welcome home at the Houchin’s farm, and the family benefits. A look at their social media presence reveals joy over new births, gorgeous alpaca coats, shearing time, visitors to the farm, and piles of awards.
There’s a certain satisfaction, too, in knowing that a sustainable heat pump system quietly contributes to all this small farm delight.