Green solutions for architects

Clean energy with high ROI

With EarthLinked Water Heating, architects can offer to their clients a clean energy system with a high ROI. The system’s favorable economics support attractive margins. EarthLinked Water Heating is particularly well suited to clients who want to achieve energy independence and reduce their carbon emissions.

The U.S. EPA has verified 75% electrical savings with EarthLinked Water Heating compared to electric resistance water heating. This means that for large users of hot water such as residential buildings, barracks, lodging, healthcare, this system can save up to 30% of total energy consumption. Also verified by the U.S. EPA, a single 6-ton capacity EarthLinked Water Heating unit saves up to 42,600 lbs of CO2 and 90 lbs of NOx emissions per year (the equivalent of displacing 3,630 gallons of gasoline or 74 barrels of oil yearly).

The system also contributes to LEED green-building certification and can earn carbon credits for the system owner. Of the array of water-heating systems available to commercial and non-commercial institutions, EarthLinked CWH is the most cost-effective. It is less expensive to operate than electric, fuel oil, propane, solar thermal systems (with electric or fossil energy back-up), and even natural gas (using the 5-year average price of natural gas). Its operating cost is stable because most of the heat that it delivers is free renewable energy stored in the shallow earth.

Although the upfront cost is greater than traditional methods because of the installation of the earth loop, that cost is rapidly recovered through monthly cost savings. As a result, EarthLinked Water Heating systems pay for themselves within 3 to 5 years on average, and sometimes faster, due to lower installation costs or the higher cost of the fuel being displaced. A single 6-ton system pre-heats 2,500-3,000 gallons per day to 110° F, enough for an 80-unit student residence. With its small footprint, EarthLinked Water Heating is particularly well suited to retrofits; and its addition to provide most of the water heating load increases reliability because it supplements rather than replaces the existing system (that can then be used for supplemental heat or backup).

Finally, EarthLinked’s track record of reliability, customer support and technological leadership backs all installed systems to ensure an optimal experience for both users and industry partners.

Suggested Target Markets for Architects

From EarthLinked’s experience and current market research, educational campuses and the military are two segments in which architects should find EarthLinked Water Heating especially profitable:

• The U.S. Army is spending over $1 billion on renewable energy projects, and $3.7 billion have been set aside in the stimulus package to invest in energy efficiency projects and to repair and modernize DOD facilities. New military facilities are mandated to achieve LEED Silver certification and benefit from stimulus funding.
• There also is visible momentum for clean energy solutions in the educational market. Stakeholders and green rankings are influencing schools to pursue aggressive energy and emission reduction programs. The American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, which pledges schools to achieve climate neutrality, has been signed by 650 institutions. They are acting on their pledge, and LEED projects in this sector are being added daily