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Q: Why are Austin Utilities,
Owatonna Public Utilities, and Rochester Public
Utilities promoting geothermal heating and cooling?
A: It's a "Win, Win, Win"
situation. A Win for YOU, our customer, because
you can expect a 30% to 70% reduction in your
heating and cooling costs. A Win for the environment
because this is use of a renewable energy -
the earth. A Win for the utility because it
offers unsurpassed cooling efficiency that helps
us reduce summer peaks. That, paired with additional
winter energy sales, increases our overall efficiency
and helps keeps our prices as low as possible!
Q: Is Geothermal heating and
cooling new?
A: Not really. The basic technology
has been around for more than 20 years, and
many homeowners and businesses have been enjoying
the benefits of geothermal heating and cooling
for much of that time. Many improvements have
been made in the materials used, the installation
methods, and the efficiencies of the compressors,
pumps and other equipment.
Q: How do geothermal systems
work?
A: Geothermal heat pumps use
the earth's energy storage capability to heat
and cool your home, and to provide hot water.
The earth is a huge energy storage device that
absorbs 47% of the sun's energy, 500 times more
energy than we need every year, in the form
of clean, renewable energy. Geothermal heat
pumps take this heat during the heating season,
at an efficiency approaching or exceeding 400%,
and return it during the cooling season.
Q: What are the main advantages
of geothermal systems?
A: #1. Comfort! Even temperatures
are maintained. #2. Savings. You can expect
a 30% to 70% reduction in your heating and cooling
costs. #3. Renewable. Geothermal systems transfer
energy from the earth. They don't create it
by burning a fuel. #4. Safety. Geothermal systems
produce no carbon monoxide in the home and have
no flame. #5. Quiet. No outdoor noise as there
isn't an outdoor condenser.
Q: Who may benefit most from
the installation of a geothermal system?
A: Those who want to reduce
their use and cost of other fuels, are concerned
for our environment, and want greater comfort
than their current system.
Q: Are these systems useful
in the newer, smaller, highly insulated homes?
A: Yes, geothermal systems
will be proportionally lower in operating costs.
As energy costs per BTU increase, the savings
will be increasingly more significant and appreciated.
The payback and return on investment will be
about the same as a larger system.
Q: Does geothermal heating
and cooling cost more?
A: That depends on how you
measure cost. While they do cost more to install
in homes than conventional systems, because
of the ground loop piping, geothermal systems
typically have the lowest life-cycle cost of
any heating and cooling system. Heating and
cooling costs for a typical 2,000-sq.-ft. home
can run as low as $1 a day. Moreover, installation
costs have declined substantially in recent
years, and they're expected to continue to fall,
as more builders and contractors offer geothermal
systems, and as the industry develops innovative
ways to install the systems faster and more
efficiently. Altogether, geothermal systems
are a sound investment. The amount they save
the homeowner every month in energy costs is
more than enough to offset their higher installation
cost. Geothermal heating and cooling means extra
savings on repair, maintenance, and hot water
bills. The energy efficiency of geothermal heating
and cooling adds value to the home.
Q: What effect would increased
use of geothermal systems have on electricity
cost and availability?
A: Geothermal heating and cooling
uses less energy for cooling than any other
cooling technology; therefore, the need for
us to purchase expensive peak power in the summertime
is reduced. Our overall efficiency is also increased
as geothermal heating uses available generation
capacity.
Q: Can these systems be used
for commercial, industrial, or apartment requirements?
A: Yes, many systems are being
installed using heat pumps that are connected
to an internal loop, which is ultimately connected
to the vertical or horizontal loop field. This
eliminates most ducting and greatly simplifies
zone control and internal load balancing. Many
schools in Minnesota are installing geothermal
heating and cooling technology as well as numerous
other commercial/industrial businesses.
Q: What kind of pipe is used
for the earth loop?
A: Polyethylene, which is the
same pipe used for gas lines. Tests have shown
the pipe to last for 100 years! |
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