Our Work

Workshop Solar and Heat Pump in Groton NY  -Net Zero project

Before the sheathing went up on the walls of the new shop we installed a 14kwp array on the new roof. In the second phase of this project, we installed a heat pump in the shop.   Finally, we installed a 7kwp array on the house roof and coupled that to a 10KWh lithium-ion battery backup to operate critical loads including a well pump, laundry, refrigeration, and lighting in the case of a power outage.    This property heats the home and wood shop with air source heat pumps and is Net Zero producing a surplus of energy to the grid. 

Two-phase solar install in Groton Net Zero Project

In two phases we built this 11kwp PV system. The first phase, a 4kwp system, was designed to offset the home’s initial electrical loads. 
After working on the initialization of the  solar project to offset the home’s base electric load we worked with these investors as a consultant on the selection of technologies for a heat pump system design and contractor bidding.  This resolved with a 5 ton vertical well geothermal system heating, cooling, and hot water system, and some air sealing and insulation. Satisfied with both systems after a year of operation and monitoring of the geothermal system load and solar electric production these folks opted for a third phase to add an additional 7kwp of solar to get this home to Net Zero grid usage.  

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ASHP and Heat Pump water heater in Trumansburg –Client Cooperative project

The fall of 2020 gave us our first cooperative project with a prospective owner member. One of our goals at NY Clean Comfort is to give potential team members hands-on experience. This allows us to assess competency and desire to do the work, and the potential member to learn hands-on skills and participate in our growing business.  Our newest teammate, with direction, completed all electrical work, structural penetrations, line set, line hide, and compressor stand mount installation for this project.

This project also included the installation of an air source heat pump water heater. This upgrade moved the home from using a natural gas boiler to heat the home and water to one that uses electricity sourced from a solar farm to provide a complete modern fossil-free heating, air conditioning, and hot water system.

Heat pump replacing High Efficiency propane boiler in Trumansburg -Net Zero

This Trumansburg home had a high-efficiency propane boiler system that was failing.  By making the cost-effective switch to an air-source heat pump this Investor will see savings of between $12-1500/yr on the cost of their heating.  The home also received the added benefit of air conditioning and is able to zone the family’s temperature needs into five different areas of the house, heating or cooling only the spaces needed.  With an advanced option, this system allows zones to be controllable remotely from anywhere that has internet access, letting the system owner check in and guarantee always coming home to their desired comfort.

With the current rebates and tax credits on clean energy HVAC  and how water, and the yearly fuel cost savings this system will pay for itself in less than 5 years using grid electricity, but because the home is partly powered by solar energy, this payback timeline shrinks to within about 2 years (looking at the 25 years leveled cost of solar energy).

With an 18 kip ground-mount PV array, this home’s energy is being totally covered by solar energy. With the new heat pump system and electric hot water tank, EV,  and the many loads of a young family,  this home is saving money and is doing a lot to reduce their use of fossils by using cleaner energy all around and becoming a Net Zero home  

Air Source Heat Pump upgrade and Solar in Groton -Net Zero project

Using an older hybrid heat pump system (supported by propane for deicing and temps below 20F),10kW of solar, a hot water system picking up energy from a solar thermal panel and wood stovel, this home was ready for an upgrade.  With the addition of a new mini-split heat pump, propane was removed from the home completely. This home moved from nearly net-zero to fully net-zero by installing the new ductless mini-split and adding a bit of air sealing and insulating, decreasing the load and increasing the heating system demand. The old system removal also freed up space on the inside of the home that will now be used for an additional half bath for the home.  One the outside space was freed for a small attached greenhouse.

Cooperative Air Source Heat Pump and Solar in Trumansburg-Client Cooperative project

This client’s cooperative project was inspired by the major cost savings available and the environmental impact of moving away from burning oil. In this case the homeowner did the rough install of all of the distribution hardware, all of the wiring work, installed all distribution heads, and assembled the compressor stand. 

We came into the project  and assisted in mounting the compressor unit, making and testing all refrigerant connections, system commissioning, and oversight of the project with minimal hands on help.  This system’s savings are expected to pay for the full cost of installation assistance  and materials in 4 years.

With the existing PV system this home is producing about 6.1 Megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity a year.   The boiler’s annual oil input was averaged at 65 megaBTUs needed (or 19 MWh) to heat the home with inefficient and polluting fuel.  By installing a heat pump this client will use a little less than half the energy, about 8MWh, to produce the same amount of comfort as the old dirty system. This home now produces almost all of the heating energy needed without any pollution.

Off-grid solar Project in Western NY-Client Cooperative project

Before and after photos of an off-grid solar electric system. We upgraded to a 1.58 kw array and a robust ground mounting system; replaced an end-of-life 3kw inverter/charger with a modern 8kw inverter/charger.  The client sourced the galvanized pipe and installed two pipes in the ground with concrete anchors. 

The old stuff still worked after 21 years (recycled and repurposed), but now our client has an enhanced system that better meets their energy needs and offers greater security. Further, the generator that offsets energy needs in the winter will be burning far fewer fossil fuels.