Tom Hunt to speak to Arkadelphia Rotary on Jan. 16

The Arkadelphia Rotary Club will meet Friday, January 16, 2015, at Western Sizzlin, 106 WP Malone Drive, for its weekly meeting. Energy Consultant Tom Hunt has been invited to serve as guest speaker to share energy conservation tips for the new year. Rotarians and guests are invited to attend. For more information on the guest speaker, please read his brief biography below. 

Tom Hunt is an energy consultant, Home Energy Rater, co-host of Arkansas Electric Cooperative’s Smart Energy Tips Podcasts, co-host of Doug Rye’s Home Remedies radio talk show, builder, Class “A” HVACR Licensee, and Executive Director of the Arkansas HVACR Association. Tom’s first entry into the HVACR / Energy Efficiency world came twenty-five years ago when his air conditioner needed to be replaced. That led him to install a geothermal heating and cooling unit and to be employed by the installing dealer and distributor. Since geothermal is the most energy efficient heating and cooling system available, it was only natural that Tom was also attracted to the concept of the “whole house envelope” and the resulting possibility of having a utility bill for heating and cooling a 2,000 square foot house on a $1.00 per day. Tom purchased the dealer side of the business and operated it for six years being devoted to geothermal systems, cellulose insulation, and performing blower door test and making the necessary improvements. He was the first non-government agency certified as a rater for Arkansas Energy Rated Homes and the first Ryenovator. As president, he steered the Arkansas Heat Pump Association into fuel neutrality and a reorganization to the Arkansas HVACR Association. He served on the Arkansas HVACR License Board for eight years and was three times appointed to the Arkansas Water Well Construction Commission as a representative for the geothermal borehole industry. In 1998, he sold his business and became the HVAC design instructor at Pulaski Technical College with instructional emphasis on load calculation, duct design, equipment selection, EPA and Arkansas HVACR code compliance, and blower door diagnostics. Fifteen and one half years later he retired to pursue energy education, working within the HVACR Association, being a radio and podcast energy talk show co-host, and providing energy and home improvement seminars for Arkansas’ Electric Cooperatives. His heart is especially drawn to the students he once taught,  helping them achieve education and career success with the ability to obtain the American dream of home ownership with an affordable utility bill.