The Drill Down
Get the dirt on geothermal education, stories and news

Why Geothermal is a No Brainer for New Construction Homes

When you’re building a new home, you have plenty of options in front of you for heating and cooling. But no option offers the comfort, efficiency and low operating costs the way geothermal does. Not […]

How To Avoid Carbon Monoxide In Your Home

As I walked into my 66° home, I immediately adjusted the thermostat warm enough to knock off a few layers of sweaters and shirts. I was home, safe and – soon enough – cozy. As […]

5 Eco-Friendly Home Improvement Projects

The scope and scale of global warming can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there’s lots that you can do at home to lessen your personal impact on the environment and help save the planet. Buildings emit more […]

Here’s What You Can Do About Your Unpredictable Oil Bills

If you have ever wondered why your oil bill constantly fluctuates, you may already know that’s in part due to the relationship between supply and demand. However, what you may not know about are the […]

I Couldn’t Leave My House For 10 Weeks. This Is What I Learned.

Last year, I had knee surgery. I couldn’t walk, couldn’t leave my apartment, and was catapulted into working remotely full-time. All told, I left my home only a handful of times over 10 weeks. It […]

5 Ways To Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

According to the EPA, indoor air pollution can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue in the short term, as well as respiratory diseases, heart disease, or even cancer in […]

What Is Aeroseal, And What Does It Do?

Created by the company of the same name, Aeroseal is a spray-based sealant technology for the ductwork in homes. Aeroseal fills and seals small to medium leaks in the ductwork—from the inside—throughout your home. This […]

St. Patrick’s Cathedral Goes Green With Geothermal

There’s no better time to talk about going green than St. Patrick’s Day. While New York’s very own St. Patrick’s Cathedral may not be able to dress itself in shamrocks and celebrate, on the inside, […]

Open Loop vs Closed Loop Geothermal Systems

All geothermal systems use ground loops to capture the consistent temperature of the earth to provide heating and cooling. There are several different approaches to ground loop design, but they all fall under two basic […]

“We’re Really Happy We Made The Switch”

Homeowners Russ and Amy have had a Dandelion geothermal system installed in their barn in rural Albany County for nearly two years now. We talked with them about their experience with the installation process, how […]

What’s A Soft Start, And Why Do I Need One?

A soft start is an electronic regulating device that can be installed inside your Dandelion Geothermal heat pump. Once installed, it reduces the start-up power draw of your heat pump by up to 70%.  When […]

Geothermal Power Plant Frequently Asked Questions

What are the differences between geothermal power plants and geothermal heat pumps?  Even though geothermal power plants and geothermal heat pumps both derive energy from the earth’s heat, they differ greatly in function, size, and […]

How Will Installing a Home Geothermal System Impact Your Electric Bill?

The key to saving money on home heating and cooling is energy efficiency. Simply put, the more efficient your HVAC system is, the more bang you’ll get for your buck. You might be curious to […]

Can You Install Geothermal Ground Loops Through Bedrock?

One of the biggest misconceptions about geothermal is that having shallow bedrock, ledge or shale could make it more costly or impossible to install geothermal on your property. Fortunately, not only is it possible, it’s […]

Ask This Old House Explores Affordable Geothermal Heating and Cooling

The home-improvement show, Ask This Old House, recently took an inside look at a Dandelion Geothermal installation in Albany, NY. Let’s explore some of the ways Dandelion is making home geothermal more affordable and accessible.  […]

4 Ways To Maximize Your Geothermal System’s Efficiency

Winter is upon us, bringing snow, ice, and all the cold we could ever ask for. Love them or hate them, the freezing temperatures outside always make us appreciate the simple joy of being cozy […]

Confessions of an Oil Man

Editor’s Note: This post was written by a former oil technician who prefers to remain anonymous. Everything herein is true.  Each year, millions of households across the U.S. burn home heating oil to stay warm […]

Geothermal Heat Pump Frequently Asked Questions

What is a geothermal heat pump? A geothermal heat pump (also called a ground source heat pump) is a renewable alternative to a furnace or boiler. It’s a critical component of a geothermal system.  A […]

What’s The Difference Between Geothermal Power Plants And Geothermal Heat Pumps?

It’s easy to confuse geothermal power plants with geothermal heat pumps – they’re technically both forms of capturing geothermal energy. “Geo” comes from the Greek word for “earth”, and “thermal” comes from the Greek word […]

When’s The Best Time to Install A Home Geothermal System?

The History of Home Geothermal Systems Geothermal is a reliable and historically-proven renewable energy. The modern concept of a geothermal heat pump actually has not changed much from the first design in 1852 by physicist […]

5 Tips For Hiring An Expert Geothermal Installer For Your Home

Did you know that poor geothermal performance is most commonly caused by improper system design or installation, not by any mechanical failure? That means choosing a qualified geothermal professional is even more important than choosing […]

“Dandelion was the most cost-effective geothermal installation.”

See why Bedford, NY homeowner David Fenton upgraded to Dandelion Geothermal.