Grandfather inspired Paulding man's quest to power home with alternative sources

When Chad Ferguson’s grandfather introduced him to the concept of geothermal energy, it sparked an interest that would eventually lead to a new career and a home that uses almost no energy from outside sources.

“[My grandfather] built a homemade solar panel and rack to put them on a long time ago. That is when I got into energy management and green homes,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson and his family live in a north Paulding house that uses geothermal and solar power to heat, cool and provide electricity.

He spent much of his life working in heating and air conditioning, and even owned his own HVAC company.

The idea of sustainability and living in a clean way resonated in his mind even while he worked in heating and air.

“I took some classes about building and how to do calculations for solar to offset energy,” Ferguson said.

When planning the construction of the house, built on 5 acres inherited from his grandfather in rural north Paulding, the intention was for it to be facing south, allowing for the most potential of absorbing solar energy.

“I built the house and worked on it for three-and-a-half years. I wanted to do anything and everything I could to be off grid. I am still tied to it, but I supply it as well,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson is a customer with GreyStone Power’s solar photovoltaic rebate program, which provides its customers with a $450 credit for every kilowatt of direct current solar power generated.

Since the household produces more energy than it is using, it creates a surplus, which cycles back into the grid, he said.

The geothermal system is fully customized and Ferguson monitors the system and usage through an application on his phone.

He also divided the home into four “zones”, which the system only runs in when needed.

One zone is designated for the bedroom area of the home, since it is the only zone being used at night, it is the only one heated or cooled.

“All the other three zones are programmed to shut down,” he said.

“I have spray foam under the floors, which provides insulation between zone barriers, so [the system] does not cycle on and off as much. No conditioned air migrates from zone to zone, especially when it is not in use,” Ferguson said.

For now, Ferguson and his family enjoy living in a home with no carbon footprint and a power bill of less than $50 per year.

Ferguson also expanded his knowledge of solar energy into a career he is passionate about.

An opportunity to work for Hannah Solar presented itself and coincidentally, so did an offer from someone to buy his heating and cooling business.

Company founder and Chief Executive Officer Pete Marte described Ferguson and his passion for solar energy “a perfect fit.”

Ferguson took it as a sign and has worked at Hannah Solar as a project manager for about a year, Marte said.

His next intended project is to construct a pond and solar-energy-run fountain, which can be seen from the front of the house.