Two decades ago, homeowners aspired to own a ranch house on a one-acre lot. Today, Lew Oliver considers such a property a liability.
"There is no one who is 30 years old—and there's hardly anybody my age either, in their 60s—who aspires to go cut one acre of grass anymore,” says Oliver, an award-winning designer and urban planner.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) backs that sentiment with this stat: 65 percent of new single-family homes were built on lots under one-fifth of an acre in 2023. That’s up from 48 percent in 2005. While pricing and availability accounts for shrinking lot sizes, modern homebuyers, particularly among younger demographics, don’t mind the downward trend. Many are willing to trade lot space for convenience and lower overall costs, the NAHB notes.
Smaller lots are easier to maintain and allow for more compact development footprints, which leads to less land use, reduced infrastructure costs, and more preserved natural areas. Oliver notes that smaller lots contribute to creating walkable, community-oriented neighborhoods rather than car-dependent suburbs. These are all hallmarks of the Georgia communities Oliver has worked on, including Serenbe, Trilith, and Burton.
Another thing these communities have in common? Geothermal heat pumps. It’s the only kind of HVAC system code allows there.
Geothermal heat pumps leverage the stable temperature of the earth to provide heating and cooling for buildings. According to Oliver, the initial costs of drilling and installing a geothermal system are offset by the long-term energy savings. “The payback is five to six years, and the system’s lifespan can extend beyond 50 years,” Oliver says, emphasizing the durability and efficiency of these systems.
Four considerations for architects
- Site evaluation and planning: The success of a geothermal system starts with a thorough site evaluation. Architects need to assess the ground conditions, including soil composition and water table levels, to determine the feasibility of geothermal installations. Collaborating with geotechnical engineers and energy consultants early in the project can streamline this process.
- Integration with building design: Geothermal systems work best when integrated with high R-value, tight building envelopes. “Pairing geothermal with well-insulated building envelopes can get you pretty close to net-zero energy,” Oliver says. Architects should design building shells that minimize energy loss, enhancing the efficiency of the geothermal system.
- Collaborating with builders: While geothermal technology has become more familiar in the industry, it’s important for architects to work closely with builders who have experience with these systems. Ensuring that builders are well-versed in the installation and maintenance of geothermal systems is crucial for project success.
- Community and environmental impact: Beyond energy efficiency, geothermal systems contribute to quieter, more aesthetically pleasing communities. Without the need for outdoor condenser units that take up precious space, architects would have more freedom in site planning and landscape design. Oliver highlights that in denser, European-style neighborhoods, the absence of noisy, bulky equipment enhances the living environment, making it more conducive to walkability and preserving the natural landscape.
One of the recurring themes in discussions about geothermal systems is their perceived complexity. However, as Oliver points out, homeowners and builders alike are becoming increasingly comfortable with this technology. “Homeowners view geothermal as a simple, elegant solution that saves them money,” he says.
As the push for sustainability intensifies, geothermal heat pumps offer architects a reliable solution for improving the energy efficiency of their buildings. Enertech Global is proud to work with designers like Oliver, providing geothermal heating and cooling comfort with one of the strongest warranties in the industry. Click here to learn more.
