Halco Wins 2024 NY-GEO Top Job Award for Groundbreaking Retrofit Project at CEO Hal Smith's Historic Residence

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Halco Wins 2024 NY-GEO Top Job Award for Groundbreaking Retrofit Project at CEO Hal Smith’s Historic Residence

Halco is thrilled to announce that it has been honored with the 2024 NY-GEO Top Job Award for its ambitious and visionary geothermal retrofit project at the residence of Halco’s CEO, Hal Smith. This marks the second time Halco has received this prestigious award, following their 2019 recognition for a geothermal project in a
historic Fayetteville, NY home.

The award-winning project represents a significant leap forward in making geothermal technology accessible for retrofits, which are expected to play a central role in the future of sustainable energy. As the demand for energy-efficient solutions grows, retrofitting existing homes is essential, and Halco’s project at Smith’s property exemplifies the complex challenges and innovative solutions required to meet this need.

Unlike new construction, retrofitting a historic home to align with modern energy efficiency standards demands adherence to strict architectural and historical guidelines.

For this project, Halco executed a full-scale energy makeover that preserved the building's historic integrity while incorporating cutting-edge geothermal technology. Once complete, the property will serve as a bed and breakfast, necessitating individualized heating and cooling capabilities for each room.

Key elements of the retrofit included:

• Horizontal Ground Loop System: Despite tight village constraints, Halco implemented an efficient horizontal ground loop to reduce visual and environmental impact.
•  20-ton 3-Phase Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) System with Heat Recovery: This innovative system provides the necessary flexibility for individual climate control across the main house and the newly converted carriage house apartment.
• 30 Ductless Heads and Hydro Kit for Domestic Hot Water: To meet the unique heating and cooling needs of the property, Halco installed a state-of-the-art VRF system alongside a hydro kit to ensure sustainable hot water production.

In line with Halco’s guiding principle of "Reduce Before You Produce" the project team began by tightening the building’s envelope. This preliminary work included vacuuming out loose fiberglass insulation and spray-foaming roof decks and gables to a 4-inch thickness with thermal barriers. With three separate attic spaces, including one shared with the carriage house apartment, the entire property was meticulously insulated and sealed to enhance thermal efficiency.

“Winning the NY-GEO Top Job Award for the second time underscores Halco’s commitment to innovation in home electrification and energy efficiency” said Hal Smith, CEO and Owner of Halco. “This project is personal. By choosing to make my own home a model for sustainable retrofitting, I hope to inspire others to embrace the whole-house approach for energy efficiency and electrification.”

As a pioneer in geothermal energy and whole-house efficiency, Halco’s success in the 2024 NY-GEO Top Job Award highlights the company’s relentless dedication to setting new standards for home performance. Whether it’s a historic mansion, a modern apartment, or a modest family home, Halco works diligently to create efficient, electrified spaces designed for the future.

Halco would like to thank NY-GEO for this recognition and extend its gratitude to the entire project team for their dedication and expertise. Halco is committed to continuing its role as an industry leader, delivering life-long energy solutions to each and every customer.

About Halco
Founded in 1984 by Hal Smith, Halco is a leader in home performance, energy efficiency, and electrification, with locations across Upstate New York. Halco’s team of experts and skilled technicians offer comprehensive services ranging from HVAC, plumbing, and electrical to cutting-edge renewable energy solutions, providing lifelong support to customers. Halco is proud to be one of the few companies in New York State fully equipped to handle the entire home electrification process.