Top Job Finalists 2021
The GeoStar Top Job Competition has been an integral part of the NY-GEO annual conference since its inception in 2015. Its objective is to highlight and recognize the incredible skill, talent, and creative imagination that exists in geothermal system designers and installers.
A strong group of applicants showcase exceptional geothermal heating and cooling projects. They range from new construction, including affordable housing, to retrofitting existing homes with special requirements, historic or landmarked buildings, structures in dense urban environments, a municipal building, low-income housing, mixed-use buildings, a school and college dorms. These projects will dazzle and delight you in the breadth and depth of the applicability of geothermal heat pump technology in New York State.
Another vital objective is to communicate to those outside the industry and to policymakers the variety of ways this technology can be applied, especially in situations where daunting challenges seem impossible to overcome and yet they are.
Each of the finalists receive free access to the NY-GEO conference and the winning finalist receives a $500 cash prize.
Here are the Top Job Finalists for 2021 |
![]() Beach Green Dunes II |
2021 Top Job winner |
![]() CABVI |
Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired - Earth Sensitive Solutions, LLC |
![]() Congregation Beth Israel |
Congregation Beth Israel - Achieve Renewable Energy, LLC |
![]() Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Niagara Community Center |
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Niagara Community Center - Buffalo Geothermal LLC The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Niagara Community Center, in Niagara Falls, is a 21,600 sq ft multi-use indoor sports and education facility designed to accommodate a wide range of sports and activities year round. It also provides a location for collaborative activity among community groups and not-for-profit organizations. Buffalo Geothermal was commissioned to design-build the space conditioning system. The intention was for “The Niagara” to be sustainable from both operational cost and environmental perspectives. Energy efficiency and the lack of emissions were important considerations, especially since it is meant to support the development of children into the leaders of tomorrow. The Geothermal system consists of 6 forced air heat pumps totaling 34 tons of capacity. To reduce the upfront costs, a horizontal slinky loop field was installed underneath the parking lot and the surrounding driveways, which is unusual for a geothermal system of this size. The enormous size of the building requires different loop fields to support different areas of the building, both to reduce upfront costs and pumping power. Variable speed pumping technology automatically reduces the pumping power when fewer heat pumps are operating. A remote control system allows temperature adjustments for different activities, so temperature sensors in each wall direct the air flow to maintain temperature and humidity levels. Due to its mission and its sustainability "The Niagara" received a $1 million grant from the late Buffalo Bills founder Ralph C. Wilson Jr's foundation. Buffalo Geothermal matched this spirit by agreeing to build the system at cost and donate its own labor. Here is the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Niagara Community Center presentation. |
![]() The Historic Home of 'Little Women' |
The Historic Home of 'Little Women' - EnergySmart Alternatives The Louisa May Alcott Orchard House Museum in Concord, Massachusetts, was the home of Louisa May Alcott, author of the American classic Little Women. It is currently a living museum with most of the furnishings on display belonging to the Alcott family during their residency there. Being an historical property, there is a constant struggle to balance artifact preservation with patron and staff comfort. Preservation, with authenticity being of utmost importance, has been ongoing since the home became a museum early in the twentieth century. Over the years, Orchard House has been modernized with electric lighting, a fire alarm, and building security systems. The old HVAC system created noise in the museum space. And the overall building energy efficiency was extremely poor since Orchard House cannot be insulated or upgraded in any way that affects the construction materials. Single pane windows, 150-year old plaster walls, and wood clapboard make for loose construction. Condensation within the exterior wall cavities in the winter and humidity-induced mildew in the summer was a serious concern. A state-of-the-art ground source heat pump heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system was chosen to control heating and cooling costs, provide a more comfortable climate control, and to be a greener facility overall. Before exterior work began, archaeologists from the University of Massachusetts Boston conducted archaeological excavations in the areas to be disturbed. The structure was also examined to ensure it could support the weight of the equipment in the attic. Eight geothermal boreholes were drilled at the back of the property and the pipes entered the basement at the rear of the building and connected to four geothermal units located throughout the building. New sheet metal ducts were installed to distribute the hot air and air conditioning throughout. The beauty of a geothermal system is that it is able to remove humidity effectively without overcooling. Humidity levels in the winter were improved with the removal of drying combustion heating. The geothermal heat pumps are extremely quiet. They have a real-time monitoring and control system that can be accessed through a smart phone application. Annual heating and cooling costs have decreased by approximately $8,000 since its initial operation in July 2018 and the gas bill has been eliminated. Here is the The Historic Home of 'Little Women' presentation. |