GeoExchange technology finds strong supporter in Plumas Sierra

Plumas Sierra Electric Cooperative customers use a GeoExchange ground source heat pump to maximize the earth's natural heating and cooling benefits in their Portola, Calif., home.

A heating and cooling system that can cut energy costs by

as much as 75 percent, needs little maintenance, and has the endorsement of the Environmental Protection Agency sounds too good to be true, but that describes the geothermal heat pump and explains why so many utilities are promoting GeoExchange technology.

Ground-source heat pumps tap the stable, moderate temperature just a few feet below the earth¹s surface to provide efficient heating and cooling. In summer, the heat pump extracts heat from the building and sends it out to a ground coil. The sealed coil is filled with a non-toxic antifreeze solution which transfers the heat to the cooler ground. The process reverses in the winter, with the ground coil drawing heat from the relatively warm ground and transferring it into the living space.

Utility promotes technology at every opportunity

“Simply put, it moves heat instead of creating it, which requires less energy and produces no pollutants,” said Nell Thomas, member services director at Plumas Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative. “GeoExchange is the most efficient and environmentally safe system available, and we want our customers to know about it.”

But Plumas Sierra wants to do more than educate its customers—it wants to convert them. “So far, we have more than 400 customers who have installed GeoExchange systems,” Thomas noted. “I’d like to see that grow by 10 percent each year.”

The Portola, Calif., utility targets commercial and residential, new and retrofit installations. “Every person who pulls a permit with the county, comes to our office or signs up for service receives an information packet. Our engineers in the field also recommend this technology when they meet with new members.”

Loop lease takes sting out of high installation cost

And a little incentive never hurts. Plumas Sierra offers an interest-free loop lease that customers can pay back in small installments added to their monthly electric bills. The payment is based on the size of the GeoExchange system installed. “We’ve offered the loop lease since 1997 to help lower the entrance cost,” said Thomas.

As with many energy efficient technologies, geothermal heat pumps are more expensive to install than their conventional counterparts. The location, local infrastructure and type of GeoExchange system selected can affect the price, as well.

However, the tax-free savings in operating costs prove to be the best antidote for “sticker shock.” According to the EPA, a geothermal heat pump can reduce energy consumption—and corresponding emissions—by more than 40 percent compared to air source heat pumps, and more than 70 percent compared to electric resistance heating with standard air-conditioning equipment. Using GeoExchange to help produce hot water or combining it with other energy-efficient measures, such as window or insulation upgrades, can increase the savings even further.

Diverse benefits add value to ground source heat pump

Lower maintenance costs add to the savings. The factory sealed ground coil is located underground and the unit's fan, compressor and pump are inside the building so no part of the system is exposed to harsh weather and vandalism. The system as a whole has few moving parts, so there is little to break or malfunction. Usually, periodic checks and filter changes are the only required maintenance.

Geothermal systems offer exceptional flexibility. They can be easily and inexpensively subdivided or expanded to fit building remodeling or additions. In commercial installations, systems can save money by allowing management to isolate and shut down unoccupied areas of the building. Even aesthetic value is a selling point with ground source heat pumps.

“Our customers put a high priority on protecting our natural resources and the natural beauty of our area,” Thomas pointed out. “The GeoExchange system preserves the beauty of their property. No one would ever guess that you have a heating and cooling system buried in your yard,” she added.

Associations provide marketing and training resources

Finding a qualified contractor is the key to a successful installation. A list of local dealers can be found on the Web site of the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium, a national organization promoting the use of this efficient technology.

Plumas Sierra lists certified heating and air contractors to install the system. Certification training and information are available through the Association for Efficient Environmental Energy Systems and the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association.

Thomas recommended the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium as an excellent resource for utilities that would like to do more marketing of GeoExchange. “We use all of their printed materials and reference their Web site,” Thomas stated. “It’s a very cost effective way to promote the technology and educate a general audience.”

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