{"id":4673,"date":"2023-11-03T15:41:53","date_gmt":"2023-11-03T19:41:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dandelionenergy.com\/?p=4673"},"modified":"2025-09-15T16:13:57","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T20:13:57","slug":"building-a-green-legacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dandelionenergy.com\/building-a-green-legacy","title":{"rendered":"Building a Green Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
The Gerosa Family\u2019s Journey to Sustainability: Geothermal Home Transformation<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
For many parents, living a sustainable life is a core family value and how they put that into practice affects both their lifestyle and their finances. On top of tens of thousands of dollars of rebates available and savings on monthly bills, investing in renewable energy solutions is a way to leave a legacy for their children by combating climate change in their most impactful sphere of influence: their home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
That\u2019s the story of William Gerosa.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Residing in Pleasantville, NY, just a short walk from the train to New York City, Gerosa has lived in the same home since 2001. It\u2019s a raised ranch typical to the area, encompassing 2,700 square feet, with 1,000 square feet of finished space downstairs.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
In the nearly two-and-a-half decades since moving into the Pleasantville home, Gerosa has renovated various rooms. He has added insulation where possible, since his home wasn\u2019t originally well-insulated when it was built in the early 1950s. Gerosa\u2019s home was built in a decade of cheap, abundant energy; in the 21st century, however, abundant energy is far from the norm. In years past, Gerosa has only run the heating system in spaces where the family spends most of their time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Originally reliant on heating oil and then natural gas, Gerosa knew it was time for an upgrade.\u00a0 His family home\u2019s green living transition started at the top. In 2017, he installed 36 rooftop solar panels to achieve net-zero emissions, excluding the heating and cooling system. His clean energy investment was also a model for his two daughters.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe enfranchised our young daughters at the time. This is the way the world has to go. We have to stop polluting and burning things,\u201d Gerosa said. \u201cThe technology exists. The fundamental question is, \u2018Do we have the governmental and societal volition and the willpower to install these technologies that we know are the right things to do?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Rooftop solar was only the beginning of the Gerosa home\u2019s sustainability journey. An online advertisement for Dandelion Energy opened up Gerosa\u2019s eyes to the environmental impact and cost savings of a geothermal home transformation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Discovering the Potential of a Geothermal Transformation<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Gerosa recognized that natural gas is derived from fossil fuels, and had been aware that combustible materials posed health, safety, and environmental risks – including the dangers posed by fire and carbon monoxide. At the same time, Gerosa found comfort in the status quo as familiar solutions felt easier than embracing new technology.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
He also recognized that heating and cooling systems are among the largest contributors to a house’s carbon footprint, significantly influencing its overall climate impact.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Despite strong convictions about climate change and the solutions that can make a meaningful impact, Gerosa was unfamiliar with geothermal heating.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
To Gerosa, geothermal initially seemed abstract, conjuring images of the planet’s molten core and journeys to the earth’s center.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
However, as he delved deeper, he realized that geothermal was the perfect accompaniment to solar power in his climate zone. Ground source heat pumps run on electricity, and by generating electricity through solar, one could achieve a nearly net-zero home.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhile I have a strong science background, thermal energy was not my forte,\u201d Gerosa said. \u201cThe more I looked into it, the more I realized this was the perfect way to heat and cool a house in our climate zone here in southern New York State.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Incentives Make Sustainability More Affordable\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Combating climate change isn\u2019t just an altruistic endeavor. Gerosa quickly calculated the cost savings, recognizing that geothermal heating and cooling made sense for utilities, homeowners, and communities.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt’s not just because you’re a tree hugger trying to save the planet. It\u2019s also an investment,\u201d Gerosa said. \u201cThe internal rate of return for our system as a whole – solar panels and the Dandelion geothermal system – is about 16 or 17 percent per annum. It is very hard to get that return in other investments with the same risk profile.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Now, new financial incentives offset the upfront installation costs, making sustainability even more affordable.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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