With the increase in energy and fuel costs, some are exploring alternative energy sources as many did during the 1970's energy crunch.

Larry Robinson of Twin Mountain Construction and Mike McKechnie of Mountain View Builders are glad to see the resurgence of interest in solar energy, wind power, geothermal heat pumps and Energy Star appliances.  areas, he said.

Energy Star ratings

They are also installing an Energy Star range with an induction stovetop that uses electromagnetic energy in the home. An on-demand tankless hot water heater will also help conserve energy since it doesn't make hot water until you turn it on, he said.

Every appliance has an Energy Star rating, including televisions, computers, refrigerators, dryers, washing machines and freezers, Robinson said. The number of stars indicates how energy-efficient the appliance is.

Build energy efficient homes

People come to them with plans for building a huge dream house, said McKechnie. Robinson scales their vision back to something that is more affordable to build and easier to maintain, said McKechnie. Prices for construction materials have really increased, he said.

"We are encouraging people to build smaller, more energy-efficient homes," he said.

Start with a light bulb

One main way that people can reduce their energy costs is to switch to Energy Star 13-watt, 18 lumens compact fluorescent light bulbs for their lighting, said Robinson.

The bulbs are almost the equivalent of a 60-watt light bulb, he said. They use one-quarter of the electricity that regular incandescent light bulbs do and cost around four times as much, but they last for about ten years, said Robinson.

Create a network

Many have expressed interest in exploring other forms of energy for their homes. Robinson and McKechnie want to share what they know about alternative energy with others, either to help them put it in their homes or help them learn to do it themselves.

The two are also interested in creating a network with other area builders that offer alternative energy options to customers. It would be nice to see everyone sharing ideas on how to conserve energy, just like it was in the 1970's, said McKechnie.

"The technology has come so far and everyone wants to do it, but no one knows how," said McKechnie.

He and Robinson invited others to come in to learn about alternative sources of energy. They recommended "Home Power" and "Solar Today" magazines as well as the "Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook," which has information on how things work and how to install them.

Geothermal heat pumps vs. air-source heat pumps

The difference between a geothermal (ground-source) heat pump system and a conventional air-source heat pump is that the geothermal heat pump technology uses the stable 50-55 degree temperature of the earth to transfer that energy to heat a home in the winter.

In the summer, the heat inside a home is transferred back to the earth, according to an article on ground-source heating and cooling from the "Journal of Light Construction" that Robinson shared. Usually a geothermal system is good for 25 to 30 years of service, which is twice the average life of an air-source heat pump, said author John Vastyan.

Most geothermal systems operate at a range of 250 to 350 percent efficiency, with direct exchange geothermal heat pump systems working at 400 percent efficiency. A direct exchange geothermal system using copper instead of plastic tubing involves a smaller section of ground with less disruption to the landscape.

Geothermal system at Twelve Oaks Estate

Others have been intrigued by the possibilities of alternative energy long before energy prices skyrocketed.

Bill Talbert has heated his home and bed and breakfast establishment, Twelve Oaks Estate, for eight years by using two geothermal heating systems. One is an air-based system and the other a water-based system. Both operate in conjunction with the other, he said. His geothermal systems provide Twelve Oaks Estate with both heat and air conditioning.

More efficient

The geothermal heat pump system is probably the most efficient heat pump system, said Talbert. Most heat pumps use air. A geothermal heat pump system transfers existing heat from his front yard. The heat is pumped through the house through a system similar to a radiator, he said.

Talbert's heating system uses the excess heat that is usually transferred back to the earth in the summer to give him hot water year-round. His system stores that excess heat energy it in a domestic water system.

A geothermal air heating system heats his upstairs while another geothermal heating system heats the downstairs and a 30-foot square garage. The downstairs system also helps to heat the upstairs with excess radiant heat, said Talbert. There are no other heating systems required at Twelve Oaks Estate. The home is a three-level colonial style house with four bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Talbert's geothermal heating systems use a biodegradable vegetable oil as the circulating fluid in the front yard and in the concrete under the basement floor. The vegetable oil is used instead of antifreeze so it wouldn't hurt the environment if the system developed a leak, he said.

Quiet, maintenance-free

Talbert's geothermal heating systems at Twelve Oaks Estate are controlled by computer and completely maintenance-free, he said. The systems are quiet and very efficient, he said. He hasn't had to do anything to them in eight years. Talbert has changed the filter in his air handler system.

Twelve Oaks Estate was originally constructed to be an energy-conscious building, said Talbert. All floors and ceilings are insulated for sound and heat loss. Each window also has double insulated glass, he said.

If they lost power, his downstairs would still be around 70 degrees after three or four days from geothermal heat, said Talbert. The upstairs would be about 67 to 68 degrees if the system were to fail or the electric went out for several days. If the power goes out, Talbert has a back-up generator.

His wife Judy Talbert can do laundry while five showers are going at once. They have never run out of hot water at Twelve Oaks Estate, said Talbert. The system makes hot water faster than any other system around, he noted.