ThePower
of Two
Wind turbine powers this home’s geothermal
system to yield net-zero energy use.
Alex Boyle speaks passionately about what he thinks should be a national imperative: to shift to renewable energy sources.
“We need to move beyond the barriers
that are impeding our progress,” he says.
“We have to get serious about this. We can
continue to burn fossil fuels, pollute the
atmosphere and threaten our national security, or we can use the wind and geothermal
energy right within our reach.”
Alex and his wife Betty had a home
built on Martha’s Vineyard last year. The
5,000-sq.ft. timber frame net-zero house is
powered by a 10k W wind turbine. Annually, the output of the wind turbine will be
greater than the power used by the house
and its geothermal system. Nelson Mechanical Design, Vineyard Haven, Mass., won a
2009 Green Mechanical Contractor (GMC)
award for the project in the “Most Innovative” category.
The Boyles didn’t set out to build a net-zero
house, but that’s how the project evolved.
“Nelson Mechanical Design installed a
solar hot water system at our daughter’s res-
taurant in Edgartown,” Alex says. “I was
so impressed with the performance of the
system as well as the quality of the work-
manship that I knew I wanted Nelson to do
the mechanical work on our house.”
Brian Nelson, co-owner of Nelson
Mechanical Design, recommended a geo-
thermal heat pump for the project. “The
Boyles did not want to see outside condens-
ing units, wanted an all-electric mechanical
system and wanted high efficiency with low
maintenance. A geothermal heat pump was
the solution.”
Nelson’s extensive experience with the
technology and his ability to inspire confi-
dence helped the Boyles make their decision.
