Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. How does Smart Geothermal technology make geothermal heating and cooling more economical?
Indie Energy Smart Geothermal™ systems lower the build cost of geothermal heating and cooling by optimizing the size and capacity of the energy field to the building's unique energy requirements. The Smart Geothermal system then controls the operation to increase efficiency and protect the long-term health of the system. By lowering first cost and increasing the savings of the system, Indie Energy Smart Geothermal™ technology reduces payback periods and dramatically increases return on investment.
- 2. Is a geothermal system reliable and comfortable?
Indie Energy Smart Geothermal™ systems rely on fewer moving parts than conventional heating and cooling systems, and therefore are more reliable and last longer. Geothermal heating and cooling maintain stable indoor air temperatures and are rated as one of the most comfortable HVAC systems available.
- 3. Can you design a geothermal system to serve multiple buildings?
Indie Energy Smart Geothermal™ systems can serve multiple buildings in a campus, commercial district, or residential master development. Indie Energy has the technology and expertise to develop multi-building geothermal infrastructure that achieves economies of scale, and can be implemented through innovations in finance and planning.
- 4. How much land do you need to build a geothermal system?
Indie Energy Smart Geothermal ™ systems require less land than conventional geothermal construction practices and are feasible even in space-constrained urban settings. Where space is limited, Indie Energy will design a Smart Geothermal™ system that utilizes the available land in combination with other heating and cooling sources for an optimized design.
- 5. I already have an engineering firm on my project, how does Indie Energy work with the team?
Indie Energy works with your design and development team to deliver the optimal Smart Geothermal™. There is no overlap between Indie Energy’s engineering services and scope, and that of your project engineer.
- 6. Can you retrofit a building for geothermal heating and cooling?
Yes, you can convert your existing commercial, public, or residential building to Indie Energy Smart Geothermal™ with minimal or no disruption to your heating and cooling system. The economics of an Indie Energy Smart Geothermal™ retrofit make it a smart investment with returns of 10% to 25+%.
- 7. Can I sub-meter the tenants in my commercial office or apartment building for their heating and cooling usage?
Indie Energy Smart Geothermal™ systems offer the ability to sub-meter your building and provide energy savings statements to individual tenants. The GeoPodTM makes it possible to know exactly how much energy is being consumed in different zones of your building for heating and cooling, and how much you are saving with your geothermal system.
- 8. How do you know that your energy simulation will be close to the reality of a system once in operation? How do you account for different weather and space usage?
Indie Energy Smart Geothermal™ systems come with a back-end metering and verification technology, the GeoPod™. The GeoPod™ proves in real-time, based on actual space usage and actual weather, what the system is saving relative to the conventional heating and cooling system.
- 9. How many LEED points will geothermal heating and cooling give me?
Indie Energy has LEED accredited professionals to help you design a system with the maximum LEED points available. Our experience has shown that 10 to 24 points are common for Indie Energy Smart Geothermal™ systems.