Green Story

Originally founded in 2008 by Andy Livingston, Shawn Bristow and Chad Knowles, American EcoThermal Inc., (AET) is a leading provider of Geothermal Heating and Cooling systems for both commercial and residential customers across New England. Livingston alone brings 28 years of renewable energy experience. Two years ago, as he watched the price of oil skyrocket again, he decided to take his experience and do something big and different. Geothermal was the answer – specifically closed-loop systems.

Colleague Knowles echoed that sentiment: “We will only install closed-loop systems because they are the most environmentally responsible of all the geothermal systems available,” says Knowles. “Closed-loop systems do not displace aquifers by taking water out of the Earth, do not discharge used water into the environment, do not have the potential to run out of water like open loop systems, and are not affected by changing well-water temperatures.”

AET specializes in closed-loop vertical geothermal systems, utilizing the constant temperature of the earth to circulate water through specialized pipes that set into a vertically-drilled bore hole. The bore holes are connected by trenching beneath the frost line and brought into the utility room/basement of the building. This is where the connection of the exterior loop field connects to the heat pump. The heat pump serves to both heat and cool the building. Heat pumps can provide all of the buildings heating and cooling needs in addition to 65% of the hot water.