Jim & Dude’s Plumbing and Heating has been awarded the 2015 TTHERM GEO Distinguished Dealer of the Year Award, according to a press release.

The award recognizes top TTHERM GEO geothermal dealers for achievements in sales volume, customer satisfaction, technical experience and superior business practices. Over the past 23 years, the company has installed many residential, light commercial, churches and farm shop systems throughout the Albert Lea area.

Geothermal heat pumps take advantage of solar energy stored in the earth’s crust to heat homes in the winter and cool them in the summer. The systems have been labeled by the Environmental Protection Agency to be the most environmentally-friendly way to heat and cool a home.

It has been estimated that installing a geothermal heat pump in a home has the same environmental impact as planting an acre of trees or removing two cars from the road.

Systems installed by Jim & Dude’s Plumbing and Heating are Energy Star-rated and qualify for residential rebate programs from Rural Electric Coop. In addition, a 30 percent residential federal tax credit is available, which makes geothermal very affordable to purchase as well as the most affordable heating and cooling system to operate.