Home goes green, going underground

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI) - Going green by going underground, that's the plan for this brand new home in Narragansett. A massive drill digs more than a thousand feet into the earth, and the savings add up.

"Our projections are probably between 4 and 6 thousand dollars a year," said homeowner Kimberly Hageman.

Hageman is talking about the amount she and her family expect to save by using geothermal water for their heating and cooling needs. But it's not just about the cash; it's also about the footprint.

Geothermal wells suck in water sitting deep below the earth's surface. A heat pump then uses that water to create a comfortable balance.

This geothermal installation is costing the Hageman’s about 20 thousand dollars more than an oil or gas system. But with the energy savings and tax incentives, they expect to pay it off in 4 and half years.

And while you can't put a well just anywhere, geothermal installers say it's a technology that's not just limited to the suburbs.

If all goes as planned, this will be one of the only leed homes in Rhode Island certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.