Joining Forces to Save Energy With geothermal heating & cooling

摘要

AS GEOTHERMAL HEATING AND COOLING gains in popularity, the relationship between geothermal contractors and electric utilities becomes increasingly important to both parties. From the contractor's perspective, utilities control electricity, as well as many of the rebate and incentive programs that make the installation of a geothermal system an attractive proposition. Just as importantly, utilities regularly interact with their customers - including potential geothermal customers - and have the ability to influence buying habits, particularly as customers look for new ways to reduce their energy usage. At the same time, utilities are aware of the service contractors' provide. After all, contractors install the systems, educating consumers on how geothermal energy works and benefits system owners. This is critical to the success of the incentive programs created by utilities. Moreover, by working with contractors to help sell consumers on geothermal systems, utilities are experiencing reduced electrical demand - by as much as one kilowatt per ton. Reductions like this can help utilities avoid investing millions of dollars in additional capacity. It should come as little surprise, therefore, that contractors and utilities are beginning to work together to encourage geothermal investment. In addition to rebate and incentive programs sponsored by equipment manufacturers and federal, state, and local governments, contractors' selling efforts are becoming more recognized and supported, and some utilities have offered to assume the costs associated with installing and maintaining the loop field.